In this thought experiment, I am considering artificial life genuine. I would agree that there could be productive outlets for our selfish impulses if there was something that mimicked their targets without consciousness to experience the externalities of such impulses.

That said, I think probably the best path would just be to build and foster technologies that help our species mature, so if one day we do get the ability to spin-up conscious beings artificially, it can be done in a manner that adds more beauty rather than despair to our universe.