I definitely agree that it can be used secularly (I probably should have phrased that last part better), but I still feel that it isn't a good phrase. Of course these type of things are currently beyond our understanding or control, that's why they're carefully being experimented on. Obviously scientists realize there are risks to these types of technologies. Too often, I see the phrase "playing God" followed by unrealistic, uninformed scaremongering. It promotes fear of those discoveries, rather than a healthy respect and caution for their possible risks. Rather than accusations "playing God", I'd prefer to see a truly balanced critique. It's easy to write an a hollow fearmongering article a scary phrase.