Genetics vs Civilisation

It struck me the other day - whilst having a conversation with a colleague who claimed not to be a racist but clearly expounded views from that side of the fence - that evils such as Racism, Adultery, Rape and perhaps even Sexism might be genetically rooted in Mankind. Particularly amongst men.

Can I therefore throw the question open to the general readership...

When a man commits racism, is he displaying a 'natural animal instinct' against what appears to be an animal from a different pack?

In other words, when a wolfpack from one area meets another wolfpack, a massive fight will probably ensue. They are the same animal, but their inner instincts rebel against 'playing nice'. Of course, I realise that today's society is far removed from wolves, and mankind as a whole has one thing which the rest of the Animal Kingdom does not - civilisation.

For myself, I do not believe that Racism is a basic animal instinct. I believe that all those evils above have been born out of civilisation.

And it's up to us to make sure that civilisation is also the death of them.

And this isn't a political statement, just playing Devil's Advocate perhaps, but...?

Sergei