This is something that any number of scientists elsewhere in the world could have done but did not do because the technology is not tested and understood at a level that would make this safe. No competent ethics board would have signed off on this. This is troubling, not impressive.

They are not more advanced technologically, this is being further advanced culturally/ethically/regulatory.

Of course those advances could over time lead to a technological advantage. For instance if they find a way to improve intelligence that could be a runaway advantage.