EXHIBIT 5.1





                               February 15, 2001

Board of Directors
Enchira Biotechnology Corporation
4200 Research Forest Drive
The Woodlands, Texas 77381

Gentlemen:

        We have acted as counsel to Enchira Biotechnology Corporation (the
"Company") in connection with the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8
(the "Registration Statement") relating to the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of the issuance of up to an aggregate of
1,400,000 shares (the "Shares") of the Company's common stock, par value $0.01
per share (the "Common Stock"), pursuant to the Company's Non-Employee
Director Option Plan, as amended, and 1997 Stock Option Plan, as amended
(together, the "Plans").

        In connection herewith, we have examined copies of such statutes,
regulations, corporate records and documents, certificates of public and
corporate officials and other agreements, contracts, documents and instruments
as we have deemed necessary as a basis for the opinion hereafter expressed.
In such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the
authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity
with the original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies.  We
have also relied, to the extent we deem such reliance proper, on information
supplied by officers and employees of the Company with respect to various
factual matters material to our opinion.

        Based on the foregoing and having due regard for such legal
considerations as we deem relevant, we are of the opinion that the Shares have
been duly authorized, and that such Shares will, when issued in accordance
with the terms of the Plans, be duly authorized, fully paid and validly issued.

        We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement. We express no opinion other than as to the federal
laws of the United States of America and the Delaware General Corporation
laws.  This opinion is rendered solely for your benefit in connection with the
above matter and may not be relied upon in any manner by any other person or
entity without our express written consent.

                                        Very truly yours,



                                        ANDREWS & KURTH L.L.P.



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