What is the result of a mutation in an organism's DNA?

A mutation in an organism's DNA can indeed lead to new traits, which may arise from changes in the genetic code. Mutations can alter the structure or function of proteins, sometimes resulting in phenotypic changes that can vary from beneficial to neutral or harmful. New traits that emerge from mutations can provide the raw material for evolution, allowing populations to adapt over generations to changing environments.

Mutations contribute to genetic diversity within a population, which is essential for natural selection to occur. If a mutation confers an advantage in a particular environment, it may enhance the organism's chance of survival and reproduction, thus influencing the evolutionary trajectory of the species. In this way, mutations are a fundamental mechanism for introducing new genetic material into a population, which can lead to variation upon which natural selection can act.

While it is true that some mutations can have no effect at all, or be detrimental, the potential for positive changes makes the production of new traits a significant result of mutations.