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Cited by 87Philosophy and Theoretical ScienceBiofield Effects and BiophysicsParanormal Experiences and Beliefs

Penrose–Hameroff orchestrated objective-reduction proposal for human consciousness is not biologically feasible

McKemmish, Laura K., Reimers, Jeffrey R., McKenzie, Ross H., Mark, Alan E., Hush, Noel S.·2009·Physical Review E
DOI 10.1103/physreve.80.021912
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Abstract

Penrose and Hameroff have argued that the conventional models of a brain function based on neural networks alone cannot account for human consciousness, claiming that quantum-computation elements are also required. Specifically, in their Orchestrated Objective Reduction (Orch OR) model [R. Penrose and S. R. Hameroff, J. Conscious. Stud. 2, 99 (1995)], it is postulated that microtubules act as quantum processing units, with individual tubulin dimers forming the computational elements. This model requires that the tubulin is able to switch between alternative conformational states in a coherent manner, and that this process be rapid on the physiological time scale. Here, the biological feasibility of the Orch OR proposal is examined in light of recent experimental studies on microtubule assembly and dynamics. It is shown that the tubulins do not possess essential properties required for the Orch OR proposal, as originally proposed, to hold. Further, we consider also recent progress in the understanding of the long-lived coherent motions in biological systems, a feature critical to Orch OR, and show that no reformation of the proposal based on known physical paradigms could lead to quantum computing within microtubules. Hence, the Orch OR model is not a feasible explanation of the origin of consciousness.

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Crossref · 10.1103/physreve.80.021912

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  • A single benzene ring cannot engage in switching or support London forces; London forces occur between two or more π electron cloud ring structures or other non-polar groups.

    “Agreed; a single benzene cannot engage in switching.London forces occur between two or more π electron cloud ring structures, or other non-polar groups.A single benzene ring cannot support London forces.”

    From Consciousness in the universe (2014) · cites this paper as [166]

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Authors
McKemmish, L. K., Reimers, J. R., McKenzie, R. H., Mark, A. E., & Hush, N. S.
Affiliations
  • The University of Sydney (AU)
  • The University of Queensland (AU)
ORCID
Venue
Physical Review E
Publisher
American Physical Society (APS)
Published
2009-08-13
Volume
80
Issue
2
Pages
021912-021912
ISSN
  • 1539-3755 (ISSN-L)
  • 1550-2376
DOI
10.1103/physreve.80.021912
OpenAlex
W2165639097
Cited by
87
References
64
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 8
FWCI
9.72
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
link.aps.org/licenses/aps-default-license (vor)
Locations
  • Physical Review E (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
  • UTS ePRESS (University of Technology Sydney) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Science Foundation
  • Australian Research Council
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Philosophy and Theoretical Science
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Biofield Effects and Biophysics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs
Keywords
Orchestrated Objective Reduction, consciousness, microtubules, tubulin, quantum coherence, origin of consciousness
MeSH terms
Consciousness, Humans, Models, Neurological, Movement, Tubulin, Vibration, Protein Structure, Quaternary, Protein Multimerization

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