Mohammedism...
"The problem with massive technological advancement is that it will necessarily lead to the human race using some combination of genetic manipulation and cybernetics to transform humans into something other. In order to fight off every possible advanced alien civilization we will have to become trans-human. We will end up becoming the authors of our own demise." (by who_would_fardels_bear)
Snap! Once upon a time I fancied I could write a story based on that classic theme Man vs God, aka The Creation rebelling against The Creator; maybe in a thousand years we have so upgraded our DNA (so-called) that we are afraid of nothing.
I think paranoia will persist through the centuries and there will be a political imperative to be the biggest baddest Creature around. The Leaders will always fear that somewhere in another galaxy a superior DNA is lurking and presenting a danger for there descendents; i.e., a threat exists, and it is deemed better to join the fight to subdue "It" or control "It" while the threat is "young" and in its growth phase.
How do you survey a galaxy for species that could be a threat? How do you research the DNA facets of a zillion species with a intent to incorporate any and all superior facets into your own species? The alternative? There may not be any alternatives. And if the DNA facet is incompatible or unworkable for some technical reason, it is likely the decision would be made to destroy the perceived threat. Hmmm.
In this future our species has become parasitic, paranoid, ruthless, brutal, dominant, and, in short - monsterous.
Our species has passed out of being Human and has become a law-of-the-jungle "Beast" and a therefore existential threat to all other life forms and populations. Creepy. Is that the destiny of our kind? To master a galaxy at the expense of falling so low?