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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
Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-62890) and
related Prospectus of Lynx Therapeutics, Inc. for the registration of 2,164,434
shares of its common stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our
report dated February 2, 2001, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements of Lynx Therapeutics, Inc. included in its Annual Report on Form
10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2000, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.




                                                          /s/ Ernst & Young LLP




Palo Alto, California

August 22, 2001