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                                                                      Exhibit 23


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statements on Form S-8 (File Nos. 33-8881, 33-15616, 33-26329, 33-29918,
33-35067, 33-37236, 33-41933, 33-55656, 33-68188, 33-58359, 33-60437, 333-10003,
333-33249, 33-30007, 33-68208, 33-58351, 333-33265, 333-10005, 333-33251,
33-22464, 33-29440, 33-51416, 33-68186, 33-58353, 33-58355, 33-60435, 333-33291,
33-21241, 333-42371, 333-64103, 333-81275, 333-81277) and on Form S-3 (File Nos.
33-61853, 333-59513, 333-68629, 33-64901) of Genzyme Corporation of our report
dated June 28, 1999 on our audits of the supplemental combined financial
statements and supplemental financial statement schedule of Genzyme General as
of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1998, which report is included in the Current Report on Form
8-K of Genzyme Corporation dated June 28, 1999.



                                        PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP


Boston, Massachusetts
June 30, 1999