De novo mutations, by definition, are present in the affected individual but absent from both biological parents' genomes.
For instance, a study in September 2019 by the University of Utah Health revealed that certain families have a higher spontaneous mutation rate than average.
This finding indicates that the rate of de novo mutation can have a hereditary component, suggesting that it may "run in the family".
[6][7] De novo mutations play a crucial role in evolution by providing new genetic variation upon which natural selection can act.
They serve as a primary source of genetic diversity, enabling species to adapt to changing environments over time.