system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Is it society or genetics that makes humans view other human lives as more important than an animals?

So, reading lots about Harambe, the western lowland gorilla that was killed at the Cincinnati Zoo. 
So many people are saying it was the right call to save the child. I'm not choosing sides in this post , (although I have very strong feelings about it).
So I'm just wondering, is it something genetic that makes us believe human lives matter more? Is it a societal thing? Is it pure egoism on the part of the human race? 
I also wonder if maybe humans are "pack" animals so we view all of humanity as an extended pack, therefore we are quick to choose a person over an animal. 


EDIT: Also, I wonder if bears would protect other kinds of bears from a human because they're bear bros?
gpt
I think it's both. From the genes eye view, it makes sense for humans to value other humans more than another species, especially if that human is related to you. Your genes "want" more genes like themselves, and less like others. From a social-cultural standpoint it's more complex. There have been cases when an animal or plant is considered somehow sacred, and people have been put to death doing harm to said non-human life form. The Dutch Tulip mania springs to mind.