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                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1

                                PERKINS COIE LLP
         1201 Third Avenue, 40th Floor  Seattle, Washington 98101-3099
               Telephone:  206 583-8888  Facsimile:  206 583-8500


                                  May 1, 1998


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

     RE:  REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3

Gentlemen and Ladies:

     We have acted as counsel to you in connection with the preparation of a
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), which you are filing with the
Securities and Exchange Commission for the resale of up to 13,000,000 shares of
Common Stock, $.01 par value (the "Shares").  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 have been duly authorized and are 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 LLP
