If the precepts of evolution and adaptation hold in that rivalry and competition over scarce resources is a main driver then I think we should be extremely wary of extra terrestrial life.
Dominant species on a planet got their by dominating. There is no reason to think that they would show some enlightened benevolence to a planet that they have had no ties to. An ET civilization would come to our planet look at the rate at which we are harvesting its resources to the detriment of all other species and would feel little remorse for doing the same to us. That is survival of the fittest. The fact that our planet is still relatively plentiful in resources and unsullied would also make it an extremely appealing location for colonization.
It's a simple cost-benefit calculation. What benefit could we get from contact with aliens and what costs could we endure?
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