We’ve spent years worrying about “false positives.” The problem is something else: finding extraterrestrial life and ignoring it

A Nature Astronomy study says astrobiology may focus too much on avoiding false positives, while false negatives could be the bigger risk.

Missed detections can happen because of instrument limits, lack of preserved biosignatures, or inadequate search methods.

The authors urge combining lab work, field studies, and AI to improve how scientists look for life beyond Earth.

The discussion also revives debate over whether NASA’s Viking mission may have detected life on Mars decades ago.