Life on Mars?

Microbes on Mars pose risk to Earth
By Paul Sims, Evening Standard

Earth's defences may need to be boosted against the risk of potentially deadly microbes returning on board space probes sent to study Mars, according to leading scientists.

The warning follows a detailed scientific analysis of data sent back by the roving vehicle Opportunity, which landed on the Martian surface on 25 January this year.

Okay, so life on Mars would be BIG news, right?

I can understand why scientists would hesitate to announce finally that life exists there. It would be one of the biggest news stories ever. They're just waiting untill all the evidence is in so they can confirm conclusively that something is currently alive in Mars.

So, is this "warning" a hint of things to come?

Is there really life on Mars?