Ronald Reagan blood auction cancelled amid complaints

Ronald Reagan's blood auction has been canceled amid mounting criticism from the former US president's family and foundation, the Associated Press reported on Thursday. 

The vial that was up for auction by PFC Auction House, which is based in the Channel Islands between England and France, according to Politico, and reportedly contained dried residue of Reagan’s blood from after an assasination attempt in 1981 wounded the president, according to Time Magazine. The blood came from a laboratory where researchers were testing for traces of lead. 

More from GlobalPost: Reagan's blood reportedly to be auctioned

The blood's anonymous seller reportedly obtained the former President's blood legally at an auction, and had put it on the market earlier this week. He has since decided he will donate it to the Ronald Reagan Foundation instead, according to the AP. 

Reagan’s family was skeptical of both the authenticity of the item and the moral implications of auctioning it off, Time reported. Reagan’s son, Michael, called the situation “bogus” and “outrageous," according to Time. 

More from GlobalPost: Nancy Reagan slowly recovering from broken ribs

"We are very pleased with this outcome and wish to thank the consignor and PFC Auctions for their assistance in this matter," said John Heubusch, executive director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation in California, which had earlier announced plans to try to stop the sale through legal means. He added that he was pleased the late president's blood will be kept "out of public hands," the AP reported. 

Before the sale was halted, online bidding for the vial of blood had reached about $30,000, and had been set to conclude Thursday evening, according to Politico.