However life is defined, the fact is that red dwarf systems outnumber every other star type in the galaxy. If it is found that even marginally-habitable planets are common in such systems, the odds for life there--of whatever form--are higher by sheer probabilities.

There are ways of detecting potential life signs even at astronomical distances. One widely-known way is detection of a highly oxidizing atmosphere. This gets past my knowledge in this area, but I wonder if there is some way you could detect the presence of green plants at a great distance...a chlorophyll signature of some kind? Are there other things you could detect in a detailed spectral signature of an atmosphere? I'm sure scientists who have detected planets that pass between their star and our sun are thinking about spectra.