UCLA billed $765 per fetal tissue sample, supplier warns tax language could suggest illegal sales

A California Public Records Act request uncovered purchase orders indicating UCLA's Division of Hematology-Oncology paid $765 for each liver and thymus specimen provided by Cercle Allocation Services. Internal emails show Cercle objected to tax wording on the invoices, warning that it could be interpreted as selling the tissue, which is illegal under federal law. The university issued revised orders without the tax language, and a July invoice totaling $5,355 was reported as processed and paid.

While Center for Medical Progress founder David Daleiden suggests the flat fee may conflict with permissible procurement costs, the documents lack invoices or cost breakdowns to confirm any violation. Federal law allows reasonable payments for services related to tissue handling but bans "valuable consideration" for the tissue itself. No charges have been filed against UCLA or Cercle, and both declined to comment.