Grinspoon Advocates Cautious Mars Colonization in Slate

Grinspoon's article "Is Mars Ours? - The logistics and ethics of colonizing the red planet" is politically remarkable because Slate is so tuned to the concerns of the Democratic Party.

Is Mars ours for the taking? Do we have a right to it? Not to be too Clintonian, but the answer may depend on what we mean by 'we.' Mars does not belong to 'America,' nor to Earth, nor to human beings. But if by 'we,' we mean 'life,' then yes, Mars belongs to us because this universe belongs to life. I mean, without us, what's the point? But before we go there and set up greenhouses, dance clubs, and falafel stands, let's make sure that, in some subtle form that could be harmed by the human hubbub, life does not already exist there. If not, then by all means build cities, plant forests and fill lakes and streams with trout—bring life to Mars and Mars to life. We'll then be the Martians we've been dreaming about for all these years.