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EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Selected Financial
Data" and "Experts" in Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement (Form S-3)
and related Prospectus of Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the registration of
2,887,945 shares of its common stock and to the incorporation by reference
therein of our report dated February 9, 2000, with respect to the financial
statements of Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form
10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1999, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Denver, Colorado
July 31, 2000
