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

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

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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.

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