EXHIBIT 23.1

                    CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

      We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statements (Form S-8 No. 33-99200 and No. 333-42497) pertaining to the 1990
Incentive Stock Plan, the 1995 Stock Option Plan, the 1995 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan, and the 1995 Directors' Stock Option Plan of our report dated
July 22, 1998, with respect to the 1998 and 1997 consolidated financial
statements and schedule of Metra Biosystems, Inc. included in the Annual Report
(Form 10-K) for the year ended June 30, 1998.

                                                               ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Palo Alto, California
September 24, 1998