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                                EXHIBIT 23-A(1)
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                                                                 EXHIBIT 23-A(1)
 
               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
     We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Post-Effective
Amendment No. 1 on Form S-8 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No.
33-59949), pertaining to the 1991 Employee Stock Plan, as amended, of Genentech,
Inc. for the registration of up to 1,573,360 shares of Callable Putable Common
Stock (and Common Stock into which Callable Putable Common Stock may be
converted) of our report dated January 17, 1995, with respect to the
consolidated financial statements of Genentech, Inc. incorporated by reference
in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1994, and the
related financial statement schedules included therein, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
San Jose, California
October 24, 1995