It requires a pretty high degree of intelligence to create the type of technology that would allow a species to destroy itself.

actually stupidity.. same as overbreeding.

But, then I could argue sure it is, you just have to be smart enough to use it for good.

define good

The Einsteins, Da Vincis, etc. making those breakthroughs are very smart.

it could be anyone else. they literally where there at the right time building up from previous research. this is always how it goes. if it wasn't them discovering it, another fellow a few months later or before would. We build little by little on these things much like RNA builds our DNA.