Exhibit 23.1


                Independent Certified Public Accountants' Consent


The Board of Directors
Paracelsian, Inc.:

We consent to the use of our report  incorporated herein by reference and to the
reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the prospectus.


                                    KPMG Peat Marwick LLP




Raleigh, North Carolina
January      , 1999