# INTA scientist Virginia Aparicio dismissed over research irregularities

> Argentina’s National Institute of Agricultural Technology fired Virginia Aparicio for pesticide research findings, sparking accusations of persecution.
- Title: INTA scientist Virginia Aparicio dismissed over research…
- Summary: Argentina’s National Institute of Agricultural Technology fired Virginia Aparicio for pesticide research findings, sparking accusations of persecution.
- Keywords: argentina, virginia aparicio, agrochemicals, pesticide exposure, sprint project, conicet, research findings, public health, scientific persecution, Buenos Aires Herald
- Source: Buenos Aires Herald — https://buenosairesherald.com/society/inta-fired-a-scientist-for-irregularities-colleagues-say-it-was-her-findings
- Author: Buenos Aires Herald
- Published: 2026-11-06T20:31:49+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: argentina, virginia aparicio, agrochemicals, pesticide exposure, sprint project, conicet, research findings, public health, scientific persecution, news
## Dismissal of Virginia Aparicio
Scientist Virginia Aparicio was dismissed in late October from Argentina’s National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) over alleged irregularities in her research into agrochemical effects.
## Alleged research irregularities
INTA blocked a scheduled public presentation of her 2023 research findings revealing widespread pesticide exposure among argentine participants.
## Project SPRINT details
The SPRINT project, funded by the european union and coordinated by wageningen university & research, aimed to assess pesticide impacts on human health and the environment.
## Research findings
Aparicio and researchers detected glyphosate in nearly 90% of human blood samples and chlorpyrifos in 37.7% of samples in 2023.
## INTA's disciplinary actions
INTA suspended the public presentation of findings in june 2023, removed Aparicio from the project, and launched disciplinary proceedings in december 2023.
## Dismissal consequences
Aparicio received the harshest disciplinary sanction, permanently removing her from inta and barring public-sector employment for five years.
## INTA's justification
INTA accused Aparicio of violating laws prohibiting the use of official authority for purposes unrelated to her duties and improper use of state resources.
## Scientific community response
Professional associations and trade unions criticized INTA’s actions as government persecution and censorship aimed at preventing research findings from becoming public.
## Aparicio's defense
Aparicio and her lawyer argued the dismissal violated public rights to environmental information and public health data under the Escazú Agreement.
## Key takeaway

Argentina’s National Institute of Agricultural Technology dismissed Virginia Aparicio for alleged irregularities in pesticide research, with colleagues claiming it was retaliation for findings showing widespread pesticide exposure.