On a quick scan, I'm not seeing anything in your linked article that counters either your selected quote, or the thrust of the OP. Can you help me out by pointing to a section or summarizing the argument?
The discussion about Viking lander results was just build-up for that final paragraph making the argument for new life-searching mission.
I feel like I'm wading into the middle of a lover's quarrel, where the words have nothing to do with the actual fight...