Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa possibly became the first political leader and administrator in the country to criticise human cloning, when she described, on Tuesday, the recent reports in this regard as 'disturbing'.

Inaugurating the two-day 'National Fair on Women Scientists and Entrepreneurs and Shaping India's Bio-future' in Chennai, she said: "This is the most perverse use of the power of molecular genetics and genetic engineering. Its misuse... leading to the release of new strains of small-pox, is a scourge mankind should avoid."

Observing that technology could be a two-edged sword, the chief minister said, "On the other hand, the purposeful use of molecular genetics in the production of new vaccines against human and animal diseases and the transfer of salt-tolerant character from mangrove trees to rice and pulses is also visible."

She asked scientists to adopt an 'ethical code in designing such experiments'.

The Christians in Tamil Nadu, who are against human cloning, may receive the chief minister's views positively.