The knowledge of the function of individual genes is growing rapidly and genomics provides promising outlooks to a range of related technologies. However, against this background there is also uncertainty, and genetically modified foods have met with public opposition in the UK and Europe. This research assesses UK public attitudes towards a range of applications of genomics including GM foods, cloning and genetic testing. A key finding is that some attitudes towards genomics have changed over a relatively short period (1999 - 2003): change is most noticeable in relation to GM crops and foods. In 2003, the public was far less opposed to GM crops and foods. The prospect of Britain growing GM foods was no longer rejected by a majority, whilst the proportion in favour of a GM food ban was 29 per cent. One-third of the British public disagreed that the benefits of GM foods prevail over any dangers. The attitudes of the general public towards GM foods appeared increasingly ambivalent: people simultaneously perceive benefits and risks, rather than being clearly in favour or against. Attitude change was also clear from people’s appraisals of the risks associated with GM foods: in 1999 about three-quarters of the British public attributed a “definite” or “probable” danger to other plants and wildlife to GM foods, whereas in 2003 the proportion had decreased to 55 per cent. In 2003, the public were also more likely to admit the safety of GM foods available in the shops than in 1999.