Blythe asks if scientists could use these techniques to pursue the creation of perfect people. I think the broad answer is yes, at least in the sense that it will become technically feasible to improve the human genetic make-up in certain ways. Scientists are not going to try any such thing without society's consent, of course. And people will never agree that any one model of human is perfect. But it's easy to think of ways of improving what we have.
Most diseases have a genetic basis.
So genetic engineers may one day devise a package of genes that would eliminate diseases caused by inherited mutations and give added protection against cancer and heart disease. Maybe they will also find genes that enhance longevity, strength, intelligence and other desirable qualities. Adding such genes to an adult is probably no big deal and just like any other kind of surgery. But putting any gene into an egg or sperm would be a profound step because the change would be inherited. Germline gene therapy, as it is called, is not likely to happen without extensive debate.