Story perspectives

USC Sells Donated Bodies to Navy, Trains Israeli Surgeons

5/14/2026

Summary

USC Sells Bodies

The University of Southern California has sold bodies donated for scientific research to the U.S. Navy.
The Navy uses some of those bodies to train Israeli military surgical teams in Los Angeles.
Donors were not told that their remains would support military training, prompting outrage.
Students and the public have called for stricter regulations and better oversight after an AJ+ documentary highlighted the issue.

Summary

USC Physician Exposes Body Sale

A USC-affiliated physician anonymously disclosed the body-sale arrangement in 2024, calling it horrific.
USC and UC schools issued statements defending their mission while refusing to answer they called inaccurate reporting.
UC Health updated its FAQ to note that bodies may be shared with institutions and used for military training.
Annenberg Media first reported the story last year and later partnered with UC San Diego Guardian and AJ+ for deeper coverage.

Summary

USC Extends Cadavers

The U.S. Navy filed a notice to extend the cadaver-training contract with USC and UCSD through 2029.
A $1 million renewal will keep USC supplying cadavers for IDF training, a program from which USC has earned more than $1 million over the past decade.
From 2024 to 2025 the IDF used 12 of the 36 cadavers transferred from UCSD to USC-managed facilities at the Navy Trauma Training Center for perfused injury simulation.

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USC Sells Bodies

The University of Southern California has sold bodies donated for scientific research to the U.S. Navy.
The Navy uses some of those bodies to train Israeli military surgical teams in Los Angeles.
Donors were not told that their remains would support military training, prompting outrage.
Students and the public have called for stricter regulations and better oversight after an AJ+ documentary highlighted the issue.

1 / 3