Exhibit 5

                               PALMER & DODGE LLP
                                One Beacon Street
                           Boston, Massachusetts 02108

Telephone: (617) 573-0100                             Facsimile: (617) 227-4420

                                December 15, 2000

Genzyme Corporation
One Kendall Square
Cambridge, Massachusetts  02139

         We are rendering this opinion in connection with the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") filed by Genzyme
Corporation (the "Company") with the Securities and Exchange Commission under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on or about the date hereof. The
Registration Statement relates to 175,000 shares of Genzyme Surgical Products
Division Common Stock, $0.01 par value (the "Shares"), offered pursuant to the
provisions of the Company's 1990 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan").

         We have acted as your counsel in connection with the preparation of the
Registration Statement and are familiar with the proceedings taken by the
Company in connection with authorization, issuance and sale of the Shares. We
have examined all such documents as we consider necessary to enable us to render
this opinion.

         Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that when issued in
accordance with the terms of the Plan, the Shares will be duly authorized,
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as a part of the
Registration Statement.

                                                     Very truly yours,

                                                     /s/ PALMER & DODGE LLP