> One explanation is that environmentally selected genes (meta genes?) that promote mutation of de novo genes in regions of the genome under environmental press

> One explanation is that environmentally selected genes (meta genes?) that promote mutation of de novo genes in regions of the genome under environmental pressure. This has been studied. They’re DNA repair pathways. Put a bunch of E. coli in a bioreactor and trace the lineages. As soon as one lineage loses a DNA repair pathway, new mutations explode and out-compete the old lineages (and each other). Besides cancer and viability concerns, highly stable DNA is mainly beneficial in cyclical conditions (as adaptive memory). In the stable—but highly competitive—environment of a bioreactor, sacrificing DNA stability for adaptive pace is a very beneficial mutation.