Exhibit 23.1



CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Annual Report (Form 
10-K) of Genentech, Inc. of our report dated January 17, 1995, included 
in the 1994 Annual Report to Stockholders of Genentech, Inc.

Our audits also included the financial statement schedule of Genentech, 
Inc. listed in Item 14(a).  This schedule is the responsibility of the 
Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion based 
on our audits.  In our opinion, the financial statement schedule 
referred to above, when considered in relation to the basic financial 
statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects 
the information set forth therein.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration 
Statements pertaining to the 1991 Employee Stock Plan, the 1990 Stock 
Option/Stock Incentive Plan, the 1984 Incentive Stock Option Plan and 
the 1984 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, the shares issuable to certain 
warrant holders, the shares issuable to certain convertible subordinated 
debenture holders and the Genentech, Inc. Tax Reduction Investment Plan 
and in the related Prospectuses of our report dated January 17, 1995, 
with respect to the consolidated financial statements incorporated 
herein by reference, and our report included in the preceding paragraph 
with respect to the financial statement schedules included in this 
Annual Report (Form 10-K) of Genentech, Inc.


                                                      Ernst & Young LLP




San Jose, California
March 28, 1995