| Abstract: | We discuss an alternative source of randomness originating at the atomic level due to the diversity of stable isotopes. This randomness could contribute to mutation mechanisms through atomic scale variations of bond lengths and strengths, differences in the reaction rates, etc. In terms of purposeful experimentation, isotopic replacements in living organisms give an independent parametrization which allows correlation of global biological variables with the level of individual atoms. We review the work done so far, and suggest some further experimental possibilities by analogy with some isotopic effects and isotopic structuring in solid state physics. |
