Are there aliens in our backyard? NASA astronaut weighs in

This is a great piece written by former ISS Commander & current NASA Astronaut, Leroy Chiao. In the article, Chiao voices his opinion that there is a far greater chance that the Universe is teeming with life than the obverse. I was excited, reading the article, until I came upon this statement made by our fearless Astronaut:

"I believe that there is life all over our universe, since it would be the height of arrogance to think that we are alone. Moreover, I believe that at some point, life on Earth will die out, either from natural causes, or from our own doing. To me, this is a natural progression, just like individual lives on our planet. Unlike many people, including several of my astronaut colleagues, I don't think that technology will save us. Indeed, there are strong arguments that after enabling life to thrive, technology is now hastening our collective demise. But that discussion is for another time."

What disturbs me about this is the cold, collected eye of reason - detached from it's originating human. Even if he is correct, I do not feel comfortable with the people charged with protecting our sphere and leading us into space taking detached perspectives like this. Oh sure, cloistered in your science and material comforts, it is easy to be a deep thinker - but this perspective is born of ease, of living high on the hog while others suffer. A human with more skin in the game would NEVER accept extinction. We survive. The prime directive? Live long enough to successfully reproduce and be a good human. OK, I added the last bit.

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2016/0908/Are-there-aliens-in-our-backyard-NASA-astronaut-weighs-in