Exhibit 23.1


               CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


We have issued our report dated February 10, 2000, accompanying the consolidated
financial  statements of Empyrean  Bioscience,  Inc. as of December 31, 1999 and
1998  and  for the  years  then  ended,  contained  in  Amendment  No.  6 to the
Registration   Statement   (Form   S-4,   No.   333-84147)   and   Joint   Proxy
Statement/Prospectus. We consent to the use of the aforementioned report in this
Registration Statement and Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus,  and to the use of
our name as it appears under the caption "Experts."

/s/ Grant Thornton LLP

San Jose, California
January 17, 2001