I agree that presenting this as a problem of a few bad genes is oversimplification. The problem is deeper then that. While it is certainly true that there are some genes that make the problem worse and other genes that mitigate it to a small degree the problem persists even among those with more favorable genetics.
For example most people would say that their friends and neighbors are "good people". However, in your personal life how many friends and neighbors would you be willing on trust alone hold onto your savings of say $100,000 for safekeeping? The number of "good people" we find around us drops remarkable quickly when we really really require them to be good in the face of temptation.
The problem goes far beyond a few bad genes that can be targeted and modified. Human nature itself is infused with tremendous evil. We are truly fallen creatures.
We are wolves by nature. Some wolves are restrained by physical cages, others by fear of cages and punishment. The best of us try and to some degree succeed in putting the wolf in us to sleep and restrain ourselves allowing that which is best to emerge. In all cases, however, the wolf is never gone deep down it remains.
“Yes, but mark, what is true one day is not false another; "the carnal mind is enmity against God" at all times. The wolf may sleep, but it is a wolf still. The snake with its azure hues, may slumber amid the flowers, and the child may stroke its slimy back, but it is a serpent still; it does not change its nature, though it is dormant. The sea is the house of storms, even when it is glassy as a lake; the thunder is still the mighty rolling thunder, when it is so much aloft that we hear it not. And the heart, when we perceive not its ebullitions, when it belches not forth its lava, and sendeth not forth the hot stones of its corruption, is still the same dread volcano. At all times, at all hours, at every moment.” - REV. C. H. Spurgeon
The only real solution would require a voluntary and complete transformation of each and every human being into something that was pure. It would require a change so profound the only analogy I can think of is transformation of a bunch of individual cancer cells on a Petri dish to into a full and functional intelligent multicellular organism with each cell working for the greater good of the whole.
While this task may be theoretically achievable I think it is fairly obvious that our species lacks what it takes to accomplish it on our own. I will share a couple more quotes that sprang to mind while writing this post.
Romans 7:18
For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing.
Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.John 3:3-3:6
Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again."
"How can someone be born when they are old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother's womb to be born!"
Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.I never said it is easy. Social engineering (religions and similar tools) can only do so much.
Reading good books (biographies, history, psychology or sociology) might help.
I think understanding human nature, understanding the harm your actions inflict on others can help you to become more empathetic to others. But in the end, if you are an asshole from the get-go, you'll probably die an asshole. No book can fix you.
You'll read the Bible or the Quran and continue to be an asshole.
How many priests read the Bible every day and abuse little kids right after their Bible reading?
How many Muslims read the Quran and go out and kill non-Muslims?
You have to believe that the 'medication' (God/salvation/magic etc.) you are taking will really help you, for the placebo effect (be a better person) to work.