Et Tu, Caesar (the leader from the Planet of the Apes)?

From the MIT Technology magazine, "Chinese scientists have put human brain genes in monkeys—and yes, they may be smarter" (link). 

Are we a few mere generational steps away from creating a Caesar from "The Planet of The Apes"? 

I always wonder on which side of history news articles like these will land on: nervous naysayers or harbingers of true doom.