From what I remember of The Selfish Gene, the individual's genes are always trying to maximize copying fidelity. Genes are trying to preserve themselves and take up a larger share of the gene pool; "intentionally" mutating into a different gene seems like a terrible "plan".

Also, the number of mutations that are actively beneficial are lowish. Even on the level of a single human, the whole organism prefers its genes stay intact.

Evolution doesn't work on the species level.