But Dr Sue Mayer, director of independent policy research group Genewatch UK, said fruit growers should not be swayed by "bullying biotechnology companies".

BBC: GM apples could fight tooth decay

Campaign group GeneWatch UK has called for legislation to be brought in well in advance of doctors beginning to recruit patients for the project.

BBC: Millions ploughed into 'gene bank'

However, Becky Price, from the pressure group GeneWatch, said there was evidence that another form of supposedly disabled E. coli could survive in sewage systems.

BBC: Go-ahead for GM diarrhoea vaccine tests

Dr Helen Wallace, of the pressure group GeneWatch UK, said the government had put the interests of commercial companies ahead of the interests and needs of the public.

BBC: Millions for genetic technology

"The monkey cloning research is an important step, and it does take cloning closer to being used in humans, but the potential to cure diseases is being oversold as there are many unanswered technical questions, " Dr. Helen Wallace, from UK not-for-profit group, Genewatch told CNN.

CNN: You, again: Are we getting closer to cloning humans?