Doctor on Harassment of Colleagues: 'Shocked and Disillusioned'

Elisabeth Förster-Waldl, a professor of Clinical Immunology at the Medical University of Vienna, voiced her deep concern and disappointment regarding the recent revelations of harassment against young female doctors in Germany. She stated that despite years of dedicated work towards gender equality and respectful interactions, a significant number of men still believe they can exploit power imbalances through boundary violations.

However, Förster-Waldl also expressed a sense of encouragement, noting that the women involved have bravely chosen to publicly expose this "disgusting behavior." She believes this courage has grown significantly in recent decades, allowing such issues to be brought into the open.

The interview, conducted by 'Die Presse,' also delved into Förster-Waldl's expertise in immunology. She highlighted the rapid expansion of knowledge in pediatric and adult clinical immunology, particularly concerning the genetic causes and molecular mechanisms of immunodeficiencies. Today, over 600 different congenital immune system disorders are known, many identified only in recent years.

Förster-Waldl emphasized that modern molecular genetic methods and targeted therapies now enable earlier and more personalized diagnoses and treatments. This approach, termed precision or personalized medicine, allows for highly specific interventions based on the molecular cause of a disease. She explained that molecular genetic methods involve sequencing and analyzing genes to identify inherited immune system disorders, which can impair the body's ability to fight pathogens and increase the risk of infections and cancers.