The "openness" trait from big five personality research (pretty legit) correlates with IQ. More open people are both more likely to question the status quo and are more likely to be more intelligent (in the strict sense of the word) than average. This suggests but doesn't necessarily mean that anything would come of it.

There's also the question of whether or not the genetic changes they attempt to make would increase intelligence independently of openness, which is likely possible, but that would require a deeper understanding and familiarity with the subject.

Personally I tend to feel less respect for people who are noticeably dumber than I am. I think that's basic human nature, or at least my nature.

Tyrants know this. You see it when they feel threatened and start purging their subordinates. If they don't respect you they can fear you instead.

"That Cassius over there has a lean and hungry look. He thinks too much. Men like him are dangerous." [1]

1: http://shakespeare.mit.edu/julius_caesar/julius_caesar.1.2.h...

We are talking about a population engineered to be more intelligent, so the assumption is that the rulers would also be more intelligent, so this gap would not exist

So find the smartest person and make them the dictator. Problem solved.

This project will produce a lot of fairly intelligent drones who will know to color inside the lines. I doubt that any Feynmans will emerge.