QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

        We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Forms S-3 (No. 333-148758) and S-8 (Nos. 333-138631, 333-145232, 333-155115) of Metabolix, Inc. of our report dated March 12, 2009 relating to the financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in this Form 10-K. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Selected Consolidated Financial Data" in this Form 10-K.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
March 12, 2009

QuickLinks

EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM