After all, in one way Reds could be characterized as "ultra-conservative". ;-) Less facetiously: I presume most people with the kind of dedication to science-done-well that's exhibited on this board would be Reds.

Needless to say, manned science stations and mining and other operations to support such stations would not be a problem, since they are unlikely to affect the Martian environment other than in tightly localized areas.

As I recall, that's how the thinking went in Red/Green/Blue, too. (I've decided that I'm due to re-read that trilogy).

If it turns out Mars is hospitable to Earth microorganisms in any way, i.e. they can reproduce and spread, it's going to make things a little tricky.

Precisely... and don't forget the radiation influx, for potential genetic mutation to stir up the evolutionary rate, too.