This report synthesises outputs from a five year programme of research on public perceptions of biotechnology.  In interpreting the overall results, a pressure-response-assessment-outcome model is introduced to explain reactions to biotechnology.  Biotechnology pressures or challenges peoples' attitudes and values.  It invokes deep-seated reactions from people in New Zealand and there are a number of dimensions to these reactions.  One is the ethical or moral question about whether the biotechnology is right and proper to use.  Closely related are the spiritual issues that biotechnology raises, and while these were not strong with pakeha they were important to South Island Maori who linked these to core cultural concepts of whakapapa and mauri .  Also invoked are ideas about nature, which for pakeha were linked directly to concerns about the impact on New Zealand's clean green image.  Finally, biotechnology challenges the boundaries between plants and animals and between humans and non humans.