Deciphering the DNA of Truth: How the Grandparenthood Index brought together dozens of families
During the period 1976-1983, Argentina experienced a civilian-church-military dictatorship under which crimes against humanity and human rights violations were committed. The regime carried out a systematic extermination plan, resulting in the forced disappearance of 30,000 people, including activists and students. These people were tortured, killed, burned, thrown into the sea or buried in mass graves.
In addition, abducted pregnant women were forced to give birth in inhumane conditions and, in most cases, were murdered, resulting in the appropriation of around 500 babies and the suppression of their identity. Faced with this situation, the families of the victims organised themselves into movements such as the Mothers and Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo, recognised worldwide for their struggle for the truth. With the return of democracy, the National Commission of Disappeared Persons (CONADEP) documented the crimes of the regime, which can be read in the pages of its report ‘Nunca más’ (‘Never again’).
Faced with this panorama, and responding to a request from the grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo, a team of researchers and investigators, led by Mary-Claire King, developed in the 1980s a scientific method to determine the biological relationship between children and their possible grandparents in the absence of their parents, presumed disappeared or murdered: the ‘Grandparenthood Index’.
How does the Grandparenthood Index work?
Grandfathers and grandmothers share approximately 25% of their DNA with their grandsons and granddaughters, making it possible to establish biological relationships through DNA comparisons between the two parties. The test uses genetic analysis techniques to identify matching patterns and determine with high probability whether a kinship link exists.
The Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo have played a key role in the implementation of the Grandparentage Index. The organisation collects DNA samples from children suspected of having been abducted during the dictatorship and compares them with genetic samples from possible biological grandparents. When a match is confirmed, the necessary legal and psychological procedures are initiated for the child to recover his or her identity and be reintegrated into his or her biological family.
The Grandparenthood Index has been a milestone in the struggle for justice and truth in Argentina. It has allowed families separated by state repression to be reunited after decades, closing open wounds and vindicating the right to identity. It has also strengthened the work of the Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo, who have become a symbol of resistance and commitment to human rights. The Abuelidad Index demonstrates how science can become a powerful tool for historical memory and social reparation.
Despite the successes achieved, significant challenges remain. Many children who have been appropriated have not yet been identified, either due to a lack of available genetic samples or a lack of knowledge of their status. Scientists continue to work on improving the accuracy and accessibility of genetic testing, as well as expanding databases that allow for more matches. In the future, it is hoped that technology will advance to more effectively identify victims of forced appropriation and contribute to transitional justice processes in other contexts.
The Grandparenthood Index is more than a scientific achievement; it is a bridge to truth and justice for the victims of Argentina’s dictatorship. Its impact transcends borders, offering a model of how science and human rights can converge to heal the scars of the past. With the advancement of technology and the commitment of organisations such as the Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo, the future promises new possibilities for historical memory and reparations.
Margarita Villegas, FIBGAR’s collaborator
