EXHIBIT 23

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the inclusion in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) of Embrex,  Inc. of
our report dated  February 20, 1998 with respect to the  consolidated  financial
statements of Embrex,  Inc. and  subsidiaries  and of our report dated March 19,
1998 with respect to the financial  statements of Embrex,  Inc.  Employee  Stock
Purchase Plan.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration  Statement
on Form S-3 (No.  333-18231) and the  Registration  Statements on Form S-8 (Nos.
33-51582,  33-63318,  333-04109)  of our report  dated  February  20,  1998 with
respect  to  the  consolidated   financial   statements  of  Embrex,   Inc.  and
subsidiaries  included  in the  Annual  Report  (Form  10-K) for the year  ended
December 31, 1997.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration  Statement
on Form S-8 (No.  33-63318)  of our report  dated March 19, 1998 with respect to
the consolidated financial  statements of Embrex,  Inc. Employee Stock Purchase
Plan included in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31,
1997.

                                       /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Raleigh, North Carolina
March 30, 1998