EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
    We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements
of Genus, Inc. and subsidiaries on Form S-8 (File Nos. 33-28394, 33-38657,
33-56192 and 333-29999) of our report, which includes an explanatory paragraph
regarding the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, dated January
26, 1998, except for Notes 1, 5 and 16 as to which the date is March 2, 1998,
and of our report dated January 26, 1998, on our audits of the consolidated
financial statements and financial statement schedule, respectively, of Genus,
Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1997, which reports are included in
this Annual Report on Form 10-K/A.
 
                                          COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
 
San Jose, California
April 28, 1998