Exhibit 23.1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements of
Genzyme Transgenics Corporation on Forms S-3 (File Nos. 33-82982, 33-97024, and
333-25769) and Forms S-8 (File Nos. 33-69516, 33-69518, 33-69520, 33-84706,
33-88030, 33-92970, 33- 92998, 333-04535, 333-29059, 333-29975, 333-29977, and
333-34119) of our report dated February 25, 1998, except as to the information
presented in Note 13 for which the date is March 20, 1998, on our audits of the
consolidated financial statements of Genzyme Transgenics Corporation as of
December 28, 1997 and December 29, 1996 and for each of the three fiscal years
in the period ended December 28, 1997, which report is included in this 1997
Annual Report on Form 10-K.



                                             /s/ COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
                                             COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.

Boston, Massachusetts
March 27, 1998