Exhibit 23.1 CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-79022) pertaining to the 1993 Incentive and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan of Human Genome Sciences, Inc. of our report dated February 14, 1997, with respect to the financial statements of Human Genome Sciences, Inc. included in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP Vienna, Virginia March 28, 1997 Exhibit 23.1 CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-79020) pertaining to the 1994 Stock Option Plan of Human Genome Sciences, Inc. of our report dated February 14, 1997, with respect to the financial statements of Human Genome Sciences, Inc. included in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP Vienna, Virginia March 28, 1997