On October 7, 2025, the head of the Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Pharmacy at the National University of San Luis (UNSL) removed teaching materials from Professor Leonardo Seguín’s course page.

Seguín, a biochemistry professor in the department, had added the “grandparentage index” statistical formula to the virtual classroom for his Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering course. The “grandparentage index” was developed in the 1980s to determine the probability of kinship between grandparents and their grandchildren. By analyzing the genetic material of the individuals involved, the index helped identify and reunite 140 children who were appropriated during the military dictatorship. Seguín included the formula in course materials alongside the National Genetic Data Bank (BNDG) to use as practical examples of parentage studies in laboratory settings.

The day after the material was uploaded, department head Darío Ramírez deleted all content related to the BNDG, labeling it a form of “indoctrination.” He further stated that “the university is not a basic unit or center of indoctrination […] we are not training militants.” Ramírez subsequently prohibited Seguín from uploading new material without prior authorization, accusing the professor of ideological bias.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about the censorship of a professor’s course website. Higher education authorities have a responsibility to protect academic freedom and take all available steps to ensure the exercise of academic freedom. In addition to the harm to the immediate victim, such incidents undermine academic freedom and democratic society generally.

Sources:
https://www.clacso.org/censura-al-indice-de-abuelidad-en-argentina/ https://canalabierto.com.ar/2025/11/25/san-luis-censuran-a-docente-que-explicaba-el-indice-de-abuelidad/ https://www.pagina12.com.ar/2025/11/22/le-prohibieron-a-un-docente-ensenar-el-indice-de-abuelidad-en-la-universidad-de-san-luis/