Basically, insofar as the perturbation does not impact more than the local lattice structure (sometimes just a few NM across), the overall lattice (therefore pr

Basically, insofar as the perturbation does not impact more than the local lattice structure (sometimes just a few NM across), the overall lattice (therefore properties) will be rather unaffected. I know pure crystals will often have embedded impurities (ie: precursor residues in the product). The impact for the DNA change is that DNA is used to create downstream materials, whereas materials are generally used because of their properties directly. As long as a defect does not impact to a great extent the general properties of the material, it is irrelevant. In terms of movement inside a lattice structure, the only real movement is vibrational and rotational movement, so global effects because of particles moving about has far lower influence.