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                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.1



               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
(Form S-8 Nos. 2-93777, 33-21252, 33-39684, 33-73674, 33-80038 and 333-21213)
pertaining to the 1984 Incentive Stock Option Plan, 1985 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan, 1990 Directors' Stock Option Plan and 1994 Stock Option Plan of
Collagen Corporation of our report dated August 2, 1996, with respect to the
consolidated financial statements and schedule of Collagen Corporation included
in this Annual Report (Form 10-K/A) for the year ended June 30, 1996.


                                                /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Palo Alto, California
April 25, 1997