EXHIBIT 23(a)

SUTHERLAND
ASBILL &                                1275 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
BRENNAN LLP                             Washington, D.C. 20004-2415
Attorneys at Law                        Tel: (202) 383-0100
                                        Fax: (202) 637-3593
                                        www.sablaw.com

                               December 14, 2000


VIA EDGAR
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Board of Directors
Golden American Life Insurance Company
1475 Dunwoody Drive
West Chester, PA  19380-1478

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We hereby consent to the reference to our name under the caption
"Legal Matters" in the Prospectus filed as part of Amendment No. 2 to
the registration statement on Form S-1 File No. 333-35592 for Golden
American Life Insurance Company. In giving this consent, we do not
admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required
under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933.

                                             Very truly yours,

                                             SUTHERLAND ASBILL & BRENNAN LLP

                                             By: /s/ Stephen E. Roth
                                                ---------------------
                                                    Stephen E. Roth