Also from the article:

"NASA’s McKay adds that using the International Space Station (ISS) for preliminary study of Mars samples would be a tough assignment. The kind of equipment necessary, the protocols required due to the microgravity, and having the right people on duty to do the work argues against the idea, he said."

At least McKay seems to see both sides of the issue.

Also from the article:

"Yet, by studying the Mars samples in orbit, Lee said, scientists might garner a better sense of exactly what hazards exist -- from the standpoint of transporting those samples to Earth."

"This is an interesting, possible evolution of the ISS within the next decade," Lee said. "We would essentially create a spaceborne analytical capability which can then be sent to the Moon for rock analysis, or adapted for use as an astrobiology lab on a future human mission to Mars."

??? What is Lee's background? This sounds totally ridiculous based on previous comments about sending Mir to the Moon, not to mention another political reality called funding levels. The ISS will be lucky to be completed let alone expanded. This option is totally cost ineffective. We would be far better off if the political reality is against MSR to do enough tests on Mars to calm public fears the proceed with a less costly approach.

Regards,
Mark