Argentina: First DNA tests negative

Sometimes it has felt like I would never be able to report concrete progress on this case, but here are the first answers... even if they are negative ones.

Having finally agreed to undergo DNA testing, Marcela and Felipe Noble do not match the samples taken from two families who had hoped they might be their biological relatives. The blood from the adopted children of Clarin owner Ernestina Herrera de Noble will now be compared against the entire genetic database set up in the wake of the dictatorship. Apparently this only take a few days.

According to Reuters,

State news agency Telam, citing legal sources, said the Noble Herreras' DNA did not match samples given by the Lanoscou-Miranda and the Gualdero-Garcia families.

The children's lawyer said,

the Noble Herreras' decision to voluntarily submit DNA for cross-analysis showed they were willing to cooperate with efforts by rights group the Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo to find children stolen from prisoners at torture centers during the so-called Dirty War.

Well, yes - after a decade of resistance. Seriously, I sympathise with the Nobles. They don't want this. I can't imagine the pressure of having your DNA pored over by the media. Sadly putting them through all that is just a consequence of the crimes committed by the junta.

Estela Carlotta, president of the Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo, has said that she is not particularly surprised by the negative result and is waiting for the results of the extended testing. As must we all.

Adopted heirs of Argentine media group test negative to first DNA tests (Mercopress)
Argentine heirs' first DNA tests come back negative (Reuters)
Estela de Carlotto: "Estamos con expectativa" (Pagina/12)
El primer cotejo de ADN dio negativo (Pagina/12)