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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1



               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

        We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-39171) and the Registration Statements on Form
S-8 (No. 333-59163, No. 333-59157, No. 333-21997, No. 33-86634, and No.
33-94872) pertaining to the 1992 Stock Option Plan and the 1998 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan of Lynx Therapeutics, Inc. of our report dated February 2, 2001
with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Lynx Therapeutics, Inc.
included in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2000.


                                            /s/   ERNST & YOUNG LLP
                                            -------------------------------


Palo Alto, California
March 28, 2001


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