Product Description

Quantum Evolution presents a revolutionary new scientific theory by asking: is there a force of will behind evolution? In his astonishing first book, Johnjoe McFadden shows that there is. 'McFadden's bold hypothesis that quantum physics plays a key role in the origin and evolution of life looks increasingly plausible. The weird behaviour of matter and information at the quantum level could be just what is needed to explain life's astonishing properties. If these ideas are right, they will transform our understanding of the relationship between physics and biology.' PAUL DAVIES In this brilliant debut, Johnjoe McFadden puts forward a theory of quantum evolution. He shows how living organisms have the ability to will themselves into action. Indeed, such an ability may be life's most fundamental attribute. This has radical implications. Evolution may not be random at all, as recent evolutionary theories have taught: rather, cells may, in certain circumstances, be able to choose to mutate particular genes that provide an advantage in the environment in which the cell finds itself. This 'will' -- described by McFadden as 'the life force' -- has startling implications. It is at the root of consciousness and free-will and provides a new understanding of the origins of life and the purpose of death.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #189557 in Books
• Published on: 2000-10-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Quantum Evolution tackles the hairiest heresy of evolutionary biology, the one most likely to get scientists figuratively burned at the stake: the notion that any force more selective than blind chance could drive mutation. Such "directed evolution" smacks too much of a retreat into creationism for most science-minded readers to be comfortable with, but there's no a priorireason to reject the idea. Molecular biologist Johnjoe McFadden risks the Inquisition by suggesting just such a possibility in Quantum Evolution: The New Science of Life. Directed at a general but somewhat sophisticated readership, it covers the basics of both standard evolutionary theory and quantum-level physics, then synthesizes them in an interesting theory of made-to-order mutation that explains enough to warrant attention and is, importantly, testable.

McFadden's writing is clear and sharp, and shows a high regard for the reader's intelligence and patience for complex ideas. This is no airplane book--except for those already well-versed in the latest in both evolutionary theory and subatomic physics. The rewards of reading are great, and the author bows just enough to established theory that he might meet the fate of his intellectual predecessors. The ideas underlying Quantum Evolution may be right or wrong, but they challenge received wisdom without plunging into dogmatism--and that's good science. --Rob Lightner

From the Author
quotes about 'Quantum Evolution'
Comments about ‘Quantum Evolution’ from popular science authors.

From Professor Paul Davies, author of ‘The Ghost in the Atom’, ‘The Fifth Miracle’, etc. "McFadden's bold hypothesis that quantum physics plays a key role in the origin and evolution of life looks increasingly plausible. The weird behaviour of matter and information at the quantum level could be just what is needed to explain life's astonishing properties. If these ideas are right, they will transform our understanding of the relationship between physics and biology."

From Professor Graham Cairns-Smith, author of 'Seven Clues to the Origin of Life', 'Evolving the Mind', etc. "A highly enjoyable read with clear explanations of molecular biology and quantum physics - and then speculations in search of a borderland between them. It is not a question of whether quantum mechanics is needed to understand biochemical processes, but exactly where, and at what level. For sure we need quantum ideas to understand in detail how enzymes work. Maybe we need them too for those two great puzzles of evolution: the origin of life, and the physical roots of conscious experience."

About the Author
Johnjoe McFadden is a Reader in Molecular Microbiology at Surrey University and editor of Britain's leading text book on Molecular Biology. For over 10 years, Dr McFadden has specialised in examining tuberculosis and meningitis genes. He is the inventor of the first successful test for meningitis (which received worldwide press, radio and TV coverage) and was leader of another team, the first to successfully use artificial life computer programmes to model key transition stages in evolution (also covered by the media). This is his first book for a popular audience.

Customer Reviews

"A Sense of Wonder!" - do not miss this!
"Quantum Evolution" is a pedagogic masterpiece. It is - amongst many other things - the best "crash-course" in quantum mechanics you can find; commonly abstract and hard to understand subjects are explained thoroughly and comprehensive without bewildering mathematics. Carefulness with facts is another attribute of this book. It is an enthralling introduction to the fantastic world of quantum microbiology and it connects the world of the infinitesimal small with the greatest questions humans have asked since the dawn of society and civilisation - "what is life?".
It deals with information theory on the quantum "level" - and express an interesting and logical hypothesis on the role of quantum physics in evolution.
It is a book that has given me the "sense of wonder" reading.
I hope that Johnjoe McFadden takes his time writing more books - he has shown to be one of the few having the gift to communicate in-depth knowledge.

A Gifted Explanation
I found the idea that some sort of quantum computing could be the basis for the evolution of living things quite fascinating. The author is patient and writes in a way that takes the non scientist into the mysteries of life at the molecular level, quantum mechanics, quantum computing and the nature of consciousness. His description of these things to a lay reader is quite gifted. In fact it’s the best non-mathematical description of quantum mechanics I’ve come across, it’s worth reading for this alone. The explanation of how life comes to form irreducibly complex processes is the most plausible I’ve come across. The last section on consciousness might be a theory too far but builds up in the same logical steps and is a great piece of work in its own right worth a book to itself. This is not a fantasy world of some mystic either, the author is a reader in Molecular Biology at the University of Surrey. I would recommend it strongly.

A very readable and immensely stimulating book.
McFadden starts with a review of what life is all about (what is life?) and looks at how it got to where it is today. He points out some problems with current evolutionary theory including rapid bursts of evolution and the origin of life itself. The next step in his argument is that the central dynamics of life involve moving fundamental particles around in highly directed trajectories ('directed actions', as he calls them) and this inevitably brings in quantum mechanics. After a few swipes at the currently fashionable complexity theory, he delivers the most lucid account of quantum mechanics that I have ever read and a pretty convincing case for the involvement of quantum mechanics in life and evolution. Lastly, after giving short shrift to Penrose's microtubule-based quantum consciousness ('The Emperor's New Mind' etc) he postulates a wave-mechanical consciousness based on the brain's electromagnetic field.

The whole book is written in a very accessible style with lots of interesting historical and imaginative anecdotes: from the tale of his one-eared sheep-stealing Irish ancestor paddling his raft up the west coast of Ireland, to gold-prospecting robots trekking over the Chilkoot pass on their way to the Klondike. Whether you believe McFadden's central thesis or not, you'll enjoy reading 'Quantum Evolution'.