Document:

EXHIBIT 4.1

                         COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
                         DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 28, 2004

         THIS COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made and entered
into as of September 28, 2004 (the "EFFECTIVE DATE"), by and between GERON
CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation having its principal place of business at
230 Constitution Drive, Menlo Park, California 94025 ("Geron"), and
TRANSGENOMIC, INC., a Delaware corporation having its principal place of
business at 12325 Emmet Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68164 ("Transgenomic").

           A.         Geron and Transgenomic are the parties to that certain
                      Supply Agreement dated as of June 15, 2002 (the "SUPPLY
                      AGREEMENT"), and related Addendum Agreements ("ADDENDUM
                      AGREEMENT") under which Geron has agreed to purchase
                      certain products from Transgenomic and Transgenomic has
                      agreed to supply such products to Geron on the terms set
                      forth therein.

           B.         Pursuant to Addendum Agreement No. 7 dated as of April 23,
                      2004, Geron may pay the purchase price of products by
                      delivery of shares of Geron's Common Stock (the "SHARES").

THE PARTIES AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

1. ISSUANCE OF SHARES; ADJUSTMENTS.

           1.1        As payment of the Second Installment specified in Addendum
                      Agreement No. 7, Geron will issue and deliver certificates
                      for 208,131 shares. Upon issuance and delivery of the
                      certificate(s) for the Shares, all Shares shall be duly
                      authorized and validly issued and represent fully paid
                      shares of Geron's Common Stock.

2. CLOSING; DELIVERY.

           2.1        The consummation of the transaction contemplated by this
                      Agreement (a "CLOSING") shall be held at such time and
                      place as is mutually agreed upon between the parties, but
                      in any event no later than three (3) business days after
                      the Effective Date of this Agreement (the "CLOSING DATE").
                      At the Closing, Geron shall deliver to Transgenomic one or
                      more certificates representing all of the Shares, which
                      Shares shall be issued in the name of Transgenomic or its
                      designee and in such denominations as Transgenomic shall
                      specify.

           2.2        Geron's obligations to issue and deliver the stock
                      certificate(s) representing the Shares to Transgenomic at
                      the Closing shall be subject to the following conditions,
                      which may be waived by Geron:

                      2.2.1      the covenants and obligations that Transgenomic
                                 is required to perform or to comply with
                                 pursuant to this Agreement, at or prior to the
                                 Closing, must have been duly performed and
                                 complied with in all material respects; and

                      2.2.2      the representations and warranties made by
                                 Transgenomic herein shall be true and correct
                                 in all material respects as of the Closing
                                 Date.

           2.3        Transgenomic's obligation to accept delivery of the stock
                      certificate(s) representing the Shares at the Closing
                      shall be subject to the following conditions, any one or
                      more of which may be waived by Transgenomic:

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                      2.3.1      the covenants and obligations that Geron is
                                 required to perform or to comply with pursuant
                                 to this Agreement and under the Common Stock
                                 Purchase Agreement between the parties hereto
                                 dated March 18, 2004, at or prior to the
                                 Closing, must have been duly performed and
                                 complied with in all material respects;

                      2.3.2      Geron shall have available under its
                                 Certificate of Incorporation sufficient
                                 authorized shares of Common Stock to issue the
                                 Shares to Transgenomic; and

                      2.3.3      the representation and warranties made by the
                                 Geron herein shall be true and correct in all
                                 material respects as of any Closing Date.

3. RESTRICTIONS ON RESALE OF SHARES.

           3.1        LEGENDS. Transgenomic understands and acknowledges that
                      the Shares are not registered under the Securities Act of
                      1933 (the "ACT"), and that under the Act and other
                      applicable laws Transgenomic may be required to hold such
                      Shares for an indefinite period of time. Each stock
                      certificate representing Shares shall bear the following
                      legends:

                      "THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN
                      REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED
                      (THE "ACT"). ANY TRANSFER OF SUCH SECURITIES SHALL BE
                      INVALID UNLESS A REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT IS
                      IN EFFECT AS TO SUCH TRANSFER OR, IN THE OPINION OF
                      COUNSEL REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO GERON, SUCH REGISTRATION
                      IS UNNECESSARY FOR SUCH TRANSFER TO COMPLY WITH THE ACT.
                      THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS
                      OF THE COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT, DATED SEPTEMBER
                      28, 2004. A COPY OF THE AGREEMENT CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE
                      SECRETARY OF GERON."

           3.2        LIMITS ON SALES. Transgenomic agrees that if it decides to
                      resell some or all of the Shares, it will do so only in an
                      appropriate manner based upon whether the shares are
                      registered or unregistered, I.E., on the Nasdaq National
                      Market or in a Rule 144A compliant transaction. Subject to
                      the foregoing restrictions, Transgenomic may sell or
                      resell the Shares in any lot size, or at any volume,
                      desired by Transgenomic.

4. REGISTRATION RIGHTS

           4.1        Geron agrees to make commercially reasonable best efforts
                      to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (THE
                      "COMMISSION") within five (5) business days after the
                      Closing Date, a registration statement under the Act (THE
                      "REGISTRATION STATEMENT"), on Form S-3 or other
                      appropriate form, so as to permit a non-underwritten
                      public offering and resale of the Shares under the Act by
                      Transgenomic. Geron agrees to diligently pursue making the
                      Registration Statement effective. Geron will notify
                      Transgenomic of the effectiveness of the Registration
                      Statement within one (1) business day of receiving notice
                      from the Commission.

           4.2        Geron will maintain the Registration Statement and any
                      post-effective amendment thereto filed under this Section
                      4 effective under the Act until the earliest of (i) the
                      date that none of the Shares covered by such Registration
                      Statement are issued and outstanding, (ii) the date that
                      all of the Shares have been sold pursuant to such
                      Registration Statement, (iii) the date Transgenomic
                      receives an opinion of counsel to Geron, which counsel
                      shall be reasonably acceptable to Transgenomic, that the
                      Shares may be sold under the provisions of Rule 144
                      without limitation as to volume, (iv) the date that all
                      Shares have been otherwise transferred to persons who may
                      trade such shares without restriction under the Act, and
                      Geron has delivered a new certificate or other evidence of
                      ownership for such securities not bearing a restrictive
                      legend, or (v) the date all Shares may be sold at any
                      time, without volume or manner of sale limitations
                      pursuant to Rule 144(k) or any similar provision then in
                      effect under the Act in the opinion of counsel to Geron,
                      which counsel shall be reasonably acceptable to
                      Transgenomic.

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           4.3        Geron, at its expense, shall furnish to Transgenomic with
                      respect to the Shares registered under the Registration
                      Statement such reasonable number of copies of the
                      Registration Statement, prospectuses and preliminary
                      prospectuses in conformity with the requirements of the
                      Act and such other documents as Transgenomic may
                      reasonably request, in order to facilitate the public sale
                      or other disposition of all or any of the Shares by
                      Transgenomic, provided, however, that the obligation of
                      Geron to deliver copies of prospectuses or preliminary
                      prospectuses to Transgenomic shall be subject to the
                      receipt by Geron of reasonable assurances from
                      Transgenomic that Transgenomic will comply with the
                      applicable provisions of the Act and of such other
                      securities or blue sky laws as may be applicable in
                      connection with any use of such prospectuses or
                      preliminary prospectuses.

           4.4        All fees, disbursements and out-of-pocket expenses and
                      costs incurred by Geron in connection with the preparation
                      and filing of the Registration Statement under Section 4.1
                      and in complying with applicable securities and Blue Sky
                      laws (including, without limitation, all attorneys' fees
                      of Geron) shall be borne by Geron. Transgenomic shall bear
                      the cost of fees and expenses of Transgenomic's counsel.

           4.5        Geron will advise Transgenomic promptly after it shall
                      receive notice or obtain knowledge of the issuance of any
                      stop order by the Commission delaying or suspending the
                      effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of the
                      initiation of any proceeding for that purpose, and Geron
                      will use its commercially reasonable efforts to prevent
                      the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its withdrawal
                      at the earliest possible moment if such stop order should
                      be issued.

           4.6        With a view to making available to Transgenomic the
                      benefits of Rule 144 (or its successor rule) and any other
                      rule or regulation of the Commission that may at the time
                      permit Transgenomic to sell the Shares to the public
                      without registration, Geron covenants and agrees to: (i)
                      make and keep public information available, as those terms
                      are understood and defined in Rule 144, until the earliest
                      of (A) such date as all of the Shares may be resold
                      pursuant to Rule 144(k) or any other rule of similar
                      effect or (B) such date as all of the Shares shall have
                      been resold; and (ii) file with the Commission in a timely
                      manner all reports and other documents required of Geron
                      under the Act and under the Exchange Act of 1934, as
                      amended.

           4.7        Transgenomic will cooperate with Geron in all respects in
                      connection with this Agreement, including timely supplying
                      all information reasonably requested by Geron (which shall
                      include all information regarding Transgenomic and
                      proposed manner of sale of the Shares required to be
                      disclosed in any Registration Statement) and executing and
                      returning all documents reasonably requested in connection
                      with the registration and sale of the Shares and entering
                      into and performing their obligations under any
                      underwriting agreement, if the offering is an underwritten
                      offering, in usual and customary form, with the managing
                      underwriter or underwriters of such underwritten offering.
                      Nothing in this Agreement shall obligate Transgenomic to
                      consent to be named as an underwriter in any Registration
                      Statement.

5.   INDEMNIFICATION.

           5.1        Geron agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Transgenomic
                      (and each person, if any, who controls Transgenomic within
                      the meaning of Section 15 of the Act, and each officer and
                      director of Transgenomic) against any and all losses,
                      claims, damages or liabilities (or actions or proceedings
                      in respect thereof), joint or several, directly or
                      indirectly based upon or arising out of (i) any untrue
                      statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact
                      contained in the Registration Statement, any preliminary
                      prospectus, final prospectus or summary prospectus
                      contained therein or used in connection with the offering
                      of the Shares, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or
                      (ii) any omission or alleged omission to state a material
                      fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
                      the statements therein not misleading; and Geron will
                      reimburse each such indemnified party for any legal or any
                      other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection
                      with investigating, preparing, pursuing or defending any
                      such loss, claim, damage, liability, action or proceeding,
                      except insofar as any such loss, claim, damage, liability,
                      action, proceeding or expense (A) arises out of or is
                      based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement
                      or omission or alleged omission made in the Registration
                      Statement, any such preliminary prospectus, final
                      prospectus, summary prospectus, amendment or supplement in
                      reliance upon and in conformity with written information
                      furnished to Geron by Transgenomic or such other person
                      expressly for use in the preparation thereof, (B) the
                      failure of Transgenomic to comply with its covenants and
                      agreements contained in Sections 7.1 or 7.5.2 hereof or
                      (C) any misstatement or omission in any prospectus that is
                      corrected in any subsequent prospectus that was delivered
                      to Transgenomic prior to the pertinent sale or sales by
                      Transgenomic. Such indemnity shall remain in full force
                      and effect, regardless of any investigation made by such
                      indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of the
                      Shares by Transgenomic.

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           5.2        Transgenomic agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Geron
                      (and each person, if any, who controls Geron within the
                      meaning of Section 15 of the Act, each officer of Geron
                      who signs the Registration Statement and each director of
                      Geron) from and against losses, claims, damages or
                      liabilities (or actions or proceedings in respect
                      thereof), joint or several, directly or indirectly based
                      upon or arising out of, (i) any failure of Transgenomic to
                      comply with the covenants and agreements contained in
                      Sections 7.1 and 7.5.2 hereof or (ii) any untrue statement
                      of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement
                      or any omission of a material fact required to be stated
                      in the Registration Statement or necessary in order to
                      make the statements in the Registration Statement not
                      misleading if such untrue statement or omission was made
                      in reliance upon and in conformity with written
                      information furnished to Geron by on behalf of
                      Transgenomic specifically for use in preparation of the
                      Registration Statement; provided, however, that
                      Transgenomic shall not be liable in any such case for (A)
                      any untrue statement or omission in the Registration
                      Statement, prospectus, or other such document which
                      statement is corrected by Transgenomic and delivered to
                      Geron prior to the sale from which such loss occurred, (B)
                      any untrue statement or omission in any prospectus which
                      is corrected by Transgenomic in any subsequent prospectus,
                      or supplement or amendment thereto, and delivered to Geron
                      prior to the sale or sales from which a loss or liability
                      arose, or (C) any failure by Geron to fulfill any of its
                      obligations under Section 5.1 hereof.

           5.3        Promptly after receipt by any indemnified person of a
                      notice of a claim or the beginning of any action in
                      respect of which indemnity is to be sought against an
                      indemnifying person pursuant to this Section 5, such
                      indemnified person shall notify the indemnifying person in
                      writing of such claim or of the commencement of such
                      action, but the omission to so notify the indemnifying
                      party will not relieve it from any liability which it may
                      have to any indemnified party under this Section 5 (except
                      to the extent that such omission materially and adversely
                      affects the indemnifying party's ability to define such
                      action) or from any liability otherwise than under this
                      Section 5. Subject to the provisions hereinafter stated,
                      in case any such action shall be brought against an
                      indemnified person, the indemnifying person shall be
                      entitled to participate therein, and, to the extent that
                      it shall elect by written notice delivered to the
                      indemnified party promptly after receiving the aforesaid
                      notice from such indemnified party, shall be entitled to
                      assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably
                      satisfactory to such indemnified person. After notice from
                      the indemnifying person to such indemnified person of its
                      election to assume the defense thereof, such indemnifying
                      person shall not be liable to such indemnified person for
                      any legal expense subsequently incurred by such
                      indemnified person in connection with the defense thereof,
                      provided, however, that if there exists or shall exist a
                      conflict of interest that would make inappropriate, in the
                      reasonable opinion of counsel to the indemnified person,
                      for the same counsel to represent both the indemnified
                      person and such indemnifying person or any affiliate or
                      associate thereof, the indemnified person shall be
                      entitled to retain its own counsel at the expense of such
                      indemnifying person; provided, however, that no
                      indemnifying person shall be responsible for the fees and
                      expenses of more than on separate counsel (together with
                      appropriate local counsel) for all indemnified parties. In
                      no event shall any indemnifying person be liable in
                      respect to any amounts paid in settlement of any action
                      unless the indemnifying person shall have approved the
                      terms of such settlement. No indemnifying person shall,
                      without the prior written consent of the indemnified
                      person, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened
                      proceeding in respect of which any indemnified person is
                      or could have been a party and indemnification could have
                      been sought hereunder by such indemnified person, unless
                      such settlement includes an unconditional release of such
                      indemnified person from all liability on claims that are
                      the subject matter of such proceeding.

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           5.4        The provisions of this Section 5 shall survive the
                      termination of this Agreement.

6. REPRESENTATIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF GERON.

     Geron hereby represents, warrants and covenants to Transgenomic as follow:

           6.1        ORGANIZATION, GOOD STANDING AND QUALIFICATION. Geron is a
                      corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
                      standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has
                      all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on
                      its business as now conducted and as presently proposed to
                      be conducted. Geron is duly qualified to transact business
                      and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in each
                      jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify would have
                      a material adverse effect on its business or properties.

           6.2        AUTHORIZATION. All corporate action on the party of
                      Company, its officers, directors and stockholders
                      necessary for the authorization, execution and delivery of
                      this Agreement, the performance of all obligations of
                      Company hereunder and the authorization, issuance and
                      delivery of the Shares has been taken or will be taken
                      prior to the Closing, and this Agreement, when executed
                      and delivered will constitute valid and legally binding
                      obligations of Geron, enforceable against Geron in
                      accordance with their terms, except as limited by
                      applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
                      moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and other laws of
                      general application affecting enforcement of creditors'
                      rights generally, as limited by laws relating to the
                      availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or
                      other equitable remedies.

           6.3        VALID ISSUANCE OF COMMON STOCK. The Shares, when issued,
                      sold and delivered in accordance with the terms hereof for
                      the consideration expressed herein, will be duly and
                      validly authorized and issued, fully paid and
                      nonassessable and free of restrictions on transfer other
                      than restrictions on transfer under this Agreement and
                      applicable state and federal securities laws.

           6.4        LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND ORDERS. There is no action, suit,
                      proceeding or investigation pending or threatened against
                      Geron that questions the validity of this Agreement or the
                      right of Geron to enter into this Agreement or to
                      consummate this transactions contemplated hereby, nor is
                      Geron aware of any basis for any of the forgoing. Geron is
                      neither a party nor subject to the provisions of any
                      order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree of any court
                      or government agency or instrumentality that would affect
                      the ability of Geron to enter into this Agreement or to
                      consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

7. REPRESENTATIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS OF TRANSGENOMIC.

         Transgenomic hereby represents, warrants, acknowledges and agrees that:

           7.1        INVESTMENT. Transgenomic is acquiring the Shares for
                      Transgenomic's own account, and not directly or indirectly
                      for the account of any other person. Transgenomic is
                      acquiring the Shares for investment and not with a view to
                      distribution or resale thereof, except in compliance with
                      the Act and any applicable state law regulating
                      securities.

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           7.2        ACCESS TO INFORMATION. Transgenomic has consulted with its
                      own attorney, accountant, or investment advisor as
                      Transgenomic has deemed advisable with respect to the
                      investment and has determined its suitability for
                      Transgenomic. Transgenomic has had the opportunity to ask
                      questions of, and to receive answers from, appropriate
                      executive officers of Geron with respect to the terms and
                      conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and
                      with respect to the business, affairs, financial condition
                      and results of operations of Geron. Transgenomic has had
                      access to such financial and other information as is
                      necessary in order for Transgenomic to make a fully
                      informed decision as to investment in Geron, and has had
                      the opportunity to obtain any additional information
                      necessary to verify any of such information to which
                      Transgenomic has had access. Transgenomic acknowledges
                      that neither Geron nor any of its officers, directors,
                      employees, agents, representatives, or advisors have made
                      any representation or warranty other than those
                      specifically expressed herein.

           7.3        BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL EXPERTISE. Transgenomic further
                      represents and warrants that it has such business or
                      financial expertise as to be able to evaluate its
                      investment in Geron and purchase of the Shares.

           7.4        SPECULATIVE INVESTMENT. Transgenomic acknowledges that the
                      investment in Geron represented by the Shares is highly
                      speculative in nature and is subject to a high degree of
                      risk of loss in whole or in part; the amount of such
                      investment is within Transgenomic's risk capital means and
                      is not so great in relation to Transgenomic's total
                      financial resources as would jeopardize the personal
                      financial needs of Transgenomic in the event such
                      investment were lost in whole or in part.

           7.5        UNREGISTERED SECURITIES. Transgenomic acknowledges that:

                      7.5.1      Transgenomic must bear the economic risk of
                                 investment for an indefinite period of time
                                 because the Shares have not been registered
                                 under the Act and therefore cannot and will not
                                 be sold unless they are subsequently registered
                                 under the Act or an exemption from such
                                 registration is available. Geron has made no
                                 agreements, covenants or undertakings
                                 whatsoever to register any of the Shares under
                                 the Act, except as provided in Section 4 above.
                                 Geron has made no representations, warranties
                                 or covenants whatsoever as to whether any
                                 exemption from the Act, including, without
                                 limitation, any exemption for limited sales in
                                 routine brokers' transactions pursuant to Rule
                                 144 under the Act, will become available and
                                 any such exemption pursuant to Rule 144, if
                                 available at all, will not be available unless:
                                 (i) a public trading market then exists in
                                 Geron's common stock, (ii) Geron has complied
                                 with the information requirements of Rule 144,
                                 and (iii) all other terms and conditions of
                                 Rule 144 have been satisfied.

                      7.5.2      Transfer of the Shares has not been registered
                                 or qualified under any applicable state law
                                 regulating securities and, therefore, the
                                 Shares cannot and will not be sold unless they
                                 are subsequently registered or qualified under
                                 any such act or an exemption therefrom is
                                 available. Geron has made no agreements,
                                 covenants or undertakings whatsoever to
                                 register or qualify any of the Shares under any
                                 such act. Geron has made no representations,
                                 warranties or covenants whatsoever as to
                                 whether any exemption from any such act will
                                 become available.

                      7.5.3      Transgenomic hereby certifies that it is an
                                 "ACCREDITED INVESTOR" as that term is defined
                                 in Rule 501 under the Act.

8.   TAX ADVICE. Transgenomic acknowledges that Transgenomic has not relied and
     will not rely upon Geron or Geron's counsel with respect to any tax
     consequences related to the ownership, purchase, or disposition of the
     shares. Transgenomic assumes full responsibility for all such consequences
     and for the preparation and filing of all tax returns and elections which
     may or must be filed in connection with the shares.

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9.   NOTICES. Any notice or other communication required or permitted hereunder
     shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given on the date
     of delivery if delivered personally or by facsimile, or one day, not
     including Saturdays, Sundays, or national holidays, after sending if sent
     by national overnight delivery service, or five days, not including
     Saturdays, Sundays, or national holidays, after mailing if mailed by first
     class united states mail, certified or registered with return receipt
     requested, postage prepaid, and addressed as follows:

      To Geron at:                       Geron Corporation
                                         230 Constitution Drive
                                         Menlo Park, California  94025
                                         Attention: General Counsel
                                         Telephone:        (650) 473-7700
                                         Facsimile:        (650) 473-7750

      To Transgenomic at:                Transgenomic, Inc.
                                         12325 Emmet Street
                                         Omaha, Nebraska 68164
                                         Attention:  Law Department
                                         Telephone:        (402) 452-5400
                                         Facsimile:        (402) 452-5447

10.  BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement shall be binding upon the heirs, legal
     representatives and successors of Geron and of Transgenomic; provided,
     however, that Transgenomic may not assign any rights or obligations under
     this Agreement.

11.  GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
     accordance with the laws of the State of California.

12.  INVALID PROVISIONS. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is
     found to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable by a court or other tribunal
     of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not be
     construed as rendering any other provision contained herein invalid or
     unenforceable, and all such other provisions shall be given full force and
     effect to the same extent as though the invalid and unenforceable provision
     was not contained herein.

13.  COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of identical
     counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
     together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

14.  AMENDMENTS. This Agreement or any provision hereof may be changed, waived,
     or terminated only by a statement in writing signed by the party against
     whom such change, waiver or termination is sought to be enforced.

15.  FUTURE COOPERATION. Each of the parties hereto agrees to cooperate at all
     times from and after the date hereof with respect to all of the matters
     described herein, and to execute such further assignments, releases,
     assumptions, amendments of the Agreement, notifications and other documents
     as may be reasonably requested for the purpose of giving effect to, or
     evidencing or giving notice of, the transactions contemplated by this
     Agreement.

16.  ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, the Common Stock Purchase Agreement dated
     as of April 23, 2004, and the Supply Agreement, including Addendum
     Agreement No. 7 thereto, constitute the entire agreement of the parties
     pertaining to the Shares and supersede all prior and contemporaneous
     agreements, representations, and understandings of the parties with respect
     thereto.

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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Common Stock
Purchase Agreement as of the date first above written.

                              GERON CORPORATION

                              /s/ WILLIAM D. STEMPEL
                             --------------------------------------------
                              By:      William D. Stempel
                              Title:   Vice President and General Counsel

                              TRANSGENOMIC, INC.

                              /s/ MICHAEL SUMMERS
                            ---------------------------------------------
                              By:       Michael Summers
                              Title:   Chief Financial Officer

                                       8AMENDMENT NO. 1                  Exhibit 10.1
                             OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

      THIS AMENDMENT NO. 1 OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT ("Amendment No. 1") is
entered into as of the 19 day of July 2004, between Peter Ratcliffe
("Executive") and P&O Princess Cruises International, Ltd., a corporation
organized under the laws of the United Kingdom (the "Company").

                                 R E C I T A L S

      WHEREAS, Employee and the Company executed an Employment Agreement dated
as of April 17, 2003 (the "Agreement");

      WHEREAS, the parties desire to memorialize a change to the definition of
"Covered Operations" set forth in Section 2 of the Agreement; and

      WHEREAS, the parties desire to clarify the manner in which an allocation
of corporate interest expense will adjust the net income calculation for
determining the Bonus as set forth in Section 3.2 of the Agreement.

      NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and with the
terms, covenants and conditions of this Amendment No. 1, Executive and the
Company agree as follows:

1.    Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the
      meanings ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.

2.    The Agreement shall be amended as follows:

      a)    The third sentence of Section 2 shall be amended in its entirety to
            read as follows:

            "The "Covered Operations" are the operations engaged in by the
            Cunard Line, Ocean Village, P&O Cruises, P&O Cruises (Australia),
            P&O Travel, Princess Cruises, Princess Tours, Seabourn Cruise Line
            and Swan Hellenic units; provided that Seabourn Cruise Line will no
            longer be included among the Covered Operations beginning December
            1, 2004; provided further that the Parties hereby agree that the
            Board has the authority to add to or take away from the Covered
            Operations those operations as it sees fit, subject to Executive's
            right to resign for "Good Reason" (as defined in Paragraph 12.5) if
            the removal of operations from the Covered Operations constitutes
            Good Reason under Paragraph 12.5."

      b)    The third sentence of Section 3.2 shall be amended in its entirety
            to read as follows:

            "The Company will make reasonable adjustments to net income from
            Covered Operations to take into account (1) any changes to the
            accounting practices and policies of the Company after April 17,
            2003, other than as a result of the Dual Listed Combination, (2)
            costs associated with the Dual Listed Combination, and (3) the
            Allocated Corporate Interest Expense (defined below).

            For purposes of this Section 3.2, the following terms are defined as
            follows:

<PAGE>

            "Allocated Corporate Interest Expense" means Tangible Net Assets
            multiplied by the Fixed Rate Factor.

            "Average Tangible Assets" means the sum of the Tangible Assets as at
            the end of each month of the fiscal year, commencing with the
            opening month's balance, divided by 13.

            "Fixed Rate Factor" is 2.161% (being the rate for the 2003 fiscal
            year), adjusted upward or downward for the percentage change in the
            Dual Listed Companies weighted average consolidated borrowing rate
            for each fiscal year compared to the prior fiscal year. The Dual
            Listed Companies weighted average consolidated borrowing rate for
            2003 was 3.9%.

            "Intangible Assets" means goodwill and trademarks of the Covered
            Operations.

            "Tangible Assets" means the total assets of the Covered Operations
            less Intangible Assets.

            "Tangible Net Assets" means the Average Tangible Assets less current
            liabilities, excluding current debt of the Covered Operations."

3.    This Amendment No. 1, together with the Agreement, is the sole agreement
      between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes
      all prior understandings, writings, proposals, representations or
      communications, oral or written, of either party.

4.    This Amendment No. 1 shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
      parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted transferees
      and assigns.

5.    This Amendment No. 1 shall be governed by, and construed in accordance
      with, the internal laws of the State of Florida, without regard to
      principles of conflicts of law.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amendment No. 1
as of the date first above written.

                                        P&O PRINCESS CRUISES INTERNATIONAL, LTD.

                                        By: /s/ Howard S. Frank
                                            ------------------------------------
                                        Print Name: Howard S. Frank
                                                   -----------------------------
                                        Title: Director
                                              ----------------------------------

                                        EXECUTIVE

                                        By: /s/ Peter Ratcliffe
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                Peter Ratcliffe

                                       2

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