Ambiguity Hobbles Biosignature Claims

Detecting life beyond Earth is not mainly limited by telescopes or propulsion but by the fundamental ambiguity of signals: molecules or phenomena that might indicate life often have non‑biological explanations or fleeting appearances. This means missions, press statements, and funding must account for interpretive uncertainty and create stronger chains of evidence, not just better sensors. — If true, it shifts how governments, journals, and the public should evaluate claims of extraterrestrial life and how resources are allocated to search strategies.