Research such as the Human Genome Project has now "mapped" genes linked to a host of human traits including eye colour, athletic ability, IQ, and aggression.

It even carries weight in court — convicted murderer Abdelmalek Bayout had his sentence reduced when it emerged he had genes linked to violent behaviour.

Bioethicists have warned the technology to alter DNA could be abused for purposes of eugenics — making new "superhumans" in a chilling similarity to fascist ideals of the 20th century.

This fear was echoed by the late Stephen Hawking in his final collection of essays, Brief Answers to the Big Questions.