On the one hand we have very well validated methods of preventing transmission of HIV from mother to child, on the other we have an experimental gene modification technique attempting to use a blunt instrument to modify a gene that may reduce the chance of contracting HIV. Yes, the stunt was unnecessary, likely ineffective, and incredibly unethical.

(wiki at least also disagrees with you and said the mothers were HIV negative, so plain old in vitro fertilization would have been all that was actually needed)