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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. 1 to the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-45272) and related
Prospectus of Human Genome Sciences, Inc. for the registration of $1,000,000,000
of its common stock, preferred stock, debt securities and warrants and to the
incorporation by reference therein of our report dated February 9, 2000, with
respect to the financial statements of Human Genome Sciences, 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
McLean, Virginia
October 6, 2000