"Probably the greatest threat from genetically altered crops is the insertion of modified virus genes into crops. It has been shown in the laboratory that genetic recombination will create highly virulent new viruses from such constructions. Certainly the widely used [modified] cauliflower mosaic virus [promoter] is a potentially dangerous gene. It is a pararetrovirus meaning that it multiples by making DNA from RNA messages. It is very similar to the Hepatitis B virus and related to HIV. Modified viruses could cause famine by destroying crops or cause human and animal diseases of tremendous power."

"If you look at the simple principle of genetic modification it spells ecological disaster. There are no ways of quantifying the risks......The solution is simply to ban the use of genetic modification in food."

Dr. Joseph Cummins, Professor Emeritus of Genetics
University of Western Ontario