Cell stress does not equal cell death.
Yes, the signaling process is established in the genetics of the cell prior to the stress. Because you think every stress means cell death I can see why you would be confused and ignorant enough to think that made some sort of point for you - but it doesn't.
Bacteria alive today are the descendants of many billions of ancestors who had proficient stress responses that enabled them to NOT DIE during stress.
One of these stress response genes is an error prone DNA polymerase.
Now why do you suppose a bacteria would have an error prone DNA polymerase that would be expressed during stress?
Do you not understand English? I answered that. The cell does not have arms and legs to build shelters. It must use itself to muster a defense. It is part of the previously established stress response.
You obviously have no interest in attempting to listen to any concept counter to your preconceptions because you did not avail yourself of the opportunity of seeking who James A. Shapiro was. Well, here is a link to an 1:38 minute lecture taking to task your simplistic views. James A. Shapiro - Revisiting evolution in the 21st Century
shapiro.bsd.uchicago.edu/2010.WorksOfTheMind.pdf
shapiro.bsd.uchicago.edu/Shapiro.2010.MobileDNA.pdf
I can see why you would be confused and ignorant enough to think that made some sort of point for you - but it doesn't.
That is because you are the one confused. The DNA polymerase in no way is directly involved in the actual response made to the stress. It allows a response to be made. It is akin to providing the paper for "War and Peace".
Anyway, listen to the lecture. The process is established prior to the stress.