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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in
Amendement No. 1 to the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-47292) and
related Prospectus of Human Genome Sciences, Inc. for the registration of
1,590,824 shares of its common stock and to the incorporation by reference
therein of our report dated February 9, 2000, with respect to the financial
statements of Human Genome Sciences, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form
10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1999 filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.





                                                           /s/ Ernst & Young LLP


McLean, Virginia
October 23, 2000