Exhibit 23.1


                         Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-90868) and
the related Prospectus of Transkaryotic Therapies, Inc. and to the
incorporation by reference therein of our report dated February 8, 2002, with
respect to the consolidated financial statements of Transkaryotic Therapies,
Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December
31, 2001, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                               /s/ Ernst & Young LLP


Boston, Massachusetts
July 31, 2002