EXHIBIT 24.1

                         Consent of Independent Auditors

   
We consent to the  incorporation  by reference in  Registration  Statements  No.
333-24371  on Form S-8 dated  April 2,  1997,  No.  333-18547  on Form S-3 dated
February 14, 1997, No.  333-827 on Form S-3 dated May 15, 1996, No.  33-89646 on
Form S-8 dated February 21, 1995, No.  33-91840 on Form S-3 dated July 21, 1995,
No. 33-86744 on Form S-3 dated December 13, 1994, No. 33-78590 on Form S-3 dated
June 20, 1994, No.  33-74078 on Form S-3 dated February 2, 1994, No. 33-71490 on
Form S-8 dated  November 11, 1993,  No.  33-71596 on Form S-8 dated November 11,
1993,  No.  33-49474 on Form S-8 dated July 10, 1992,  No.  33-48566 on Form S-3
dated  June 25,  1992,  No.  33-15025  on Form S-8 dated  June 29,  1987 and No.
33-10393 on Form S-8 dated  December 16, 1986 of our report  dated  February 21,
1997, except for Note 12, as to which the date is July 18, 1997, with respect to
the consolidated  financial  statements and schedule of EDITEK, Inc. included in
the Annual Report (Form 10-K/A-2) for the year ended December 31, 1996.

                                                       /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota
September 16, 1997