EXHIBIT (a)(1)(E)


              [The Following Will Be Delivered by Electronic Mail]

                                 March 7, 2002


         As a result of recent stock market volatility, many of our employees
hold stock options with an exercise price that significantly exceeds the
current market price of our common stock. Because we recognize that the
Affymetrix, Inc. stock option plans may not currently be providing the intended
performance and retention incentives for our valued employees, our Board of
Directors and our compensation committee has approved an option exchange
program designed to provide you with the benefit of equity ownership and stock
options that over time may have a greater potential to increase in value.

         Under this program, Affymetrix, Inc. ("Affymetrix") is offering to
exchange your currently outstanding options under the Affymetrix, Inc. Amended
and Restated 1993 Stock Plan, Affymetrix, Inc. 1998 Stock Incentive Plan,
Affymetrix/Genetic MicroSystems 1998 Stock Option Plan, Affymetrix/Neomorphic
1998 Stock Option Plan, and Affymetrix, Inc. Amended and Restated 2000 Equity
Incentive Plan for new options to be issued under the respective plans.

         AFFYMETRIX' OFFER IS BEING MADE UNDER THE TERMS AND SUBJECT TO THE
CONDITIONS OF AN OFFER TO EXCHANGE AND RELATED DOCUMENTS, A HARD COPY OF WHICH
WILL BE DELIVERED TO THE EMPLOYEES OF AFFYMETRIX. THESE MATERIALS WILL ALSO
DESCRIBE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IF YOU CHOOSE TO
PARTICIPATE. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO REVIEW THE MATERIAL IN DETAIL AND CONSIDER YOUR
DECISION CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO TENDER ANY OF YOUR OPTIONS.

         The Offer to Exchange and related documents that are being delivered
to you are extremely time sensitive. I urge you to review them at your earliest
convenience. Please do not reply by e-mail to the Offer to Exchange. If you do
not receive the exchange documentation within a week, or if you have questions
relating to the offer after you receive your documents by mail, please contact
your local Human Resources representative.


                                           Stephen P.A. Fodor, Ph.D.
                                           Chairman and Chief Executive Officer