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Former rural GP Dr Sarah Laurie has fast become the spokesperson for the anti-wind movement. She has embarked on a mission to travel the country roads of Australia, spreading the message that low frequency noise and vibration from wind farms will destroy the health and livelihoods of the local residents. The subsequent angst has consumed otherwise peaceful communities with suspicion, anger, and psychological stress. That some people genuinely feel affected by nearby wind farms is accepted, but to this date the causes remain largely unexplained.
Dr Laurie's roadshow recently made a stop in a seminar room at the University of Adelaide, where the audience was largely made up of researchers, academics, engineers and students. Despite attempts at giving the presentation a scientific feel, the poorly constructed argument - an emotional mix of hearsay, frightening anecdotes presented as scientific evidence, misrepresented research papers, and heart warming pictures of babies and cute animals - did not stand up to the ensuing questions. Most were met with admissions of insufficient knowledge, absence of proper studies, and a lack of evidence.
Dr Laurie will probably keep travelling around the country, raising the spectre of Wind Turbine Syndrome in communities who trust a well meaning country doctor, thus seeding deep anguish and psychological stress on fertile ground. Interestingly enough, the symptoms of the so-called Wind Turbine Syndrome that Dr Laurie describes are similar to those of the deep anguish and psychological stress that her presentation will understandably cause. Is it ethically right for someone who claims to be a caring medical practitioner to disrupt entire communities based on anecdotes and unproven allegations? One would think not. Unfortunately, the AMA is in no position to regulate this; Dr Laurie is unregistered.
If you ever come across Dr Laurie or any of the Wind Turbine Syndrome apologists, do yourself a favour: seek an alternative, professional opinion before making up your mind. The alarmist, bite-sized message is easy to understand and quite effective. Actual facts are generally more nuanced and boring, but at least they let you sleep at night.
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