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                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1

                           [Perkins Coie Letterhead]


                                  May 15, 1996



Targeted Genetics Corporation
Suite 100
1100 Olive Way
Seattle, WA  98101

         RE:      REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8

Gentlemen and Ladies:

     We have acted as counsel to Targeted Genetics Corporation (the "Company")
in connection with the preparation of a Registration Statement on Form S-8
(the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Act"), which you are filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission with
respect to 600,000 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value per share (the
"Shares"), which may be issued upon the exercise of stock options granted or to
be granted pursuant to the Targeted Genetics Corporation 1992 Restated Stock
Option Plan (the "Plan"). We have examined the Registration Statement and such
documents and records of the Company and other documents as we have deemed
necessary for the purpose of this opinion.

     Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the
Shares that may be issued upon the exercise of stock options granted or to be
granted pursuant to the Plan have been duly authorized and that, upon the due
execution by the Company and the registration by its registrar of the Shares
and the sale thereof by the Company in accordance with the terms of the Plan,
and the receipt of the consideration therefor in accordance with the terms of
the Plan, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not admit that we are in
the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act.

                                Very truly yours,



                                Perkins Coie
