EXHIBIT 23.1

                   CONSENT OF KPMG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

    We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
(File Numbers 33-20181, 33-35182, 2-90595, 33-23899, 33-58305, 33-44477,
33-65024, 33-65177, 333-10419, 333-28257, 333-42469, 33-45822, 33-63297 and
333-49229 on Form S-8 and File Number 33-43574 on Form S-3) of Chiron
Corporation of our report dated January 29, 2001, relating to the consolidated
balance sheets of Chiron Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2000
and 1999, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive
income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 2000 and the related schedule, which report
appears in the December 31, 2000 annual report on Form 10-K of Chiron
Corporation.

/s/ KPMG LLP

San Francisco, California
March 2, 2001