Have underground radiation measurements refuted the Orch OR theory?

TL;DR

This paper discusses the implications of underground radiation measurements on the Orch OR theory, clarifying that the refuted variant does not undermine the core ideas but narrows down the possible models.

Contribution

The paper clarifies the distinction between variants of the Orch OR theory and argues that the refutation of a specific variant does not disprove the core theory.

Findings

Refuted variant was never advocated by Orch OR creators

Radiation measurements exclude a small class of variants

Core Orch OR ideas remain unrefuted by these measurements

Abstract

In [1] it is claimed that, based on radiation emission measurements described in [2], a certain "variant" of the Orch OR theory has been refuted. I agree with this claim. However, the significance of this result for Orch OR per se is unclear. After all, the refuted "variant" was never advocated by anyone, and it contradicts the views of Hameroff and Penrose (hereafter: HP) who invented Orch OR [3]. My aim is to get clear on this situation. I argue that it is indeed reasonable to speak of "variants" here. Orch OR is not a complete model of reality but a work in progress. At its core, it claims that wavefunction collapse is a real physical event that has something to do with gravity ("OR") and that consciousness depends on orchestrated collapses in microtubules ("Orch"). There are many ways one could make these base ideas precise hence many "variants". Furthermore, the ways that HP aim to make these ideas precise are radical and incomplete. If they don't work out, Orch OR will need to fall back on another variant. Thus, I believe the significance of [1-2] for Orch OR is that it cuts out a small class of possible variants and leaves behind questions and challenges for the rest, including the variant preferred by HP.