If only we had some field of science that studies toxins, We could call it Toxicology.... All joking aside Alcohol is classified as a group 1 carcinogen and the Europe has yet to ban it
With most engineering there are standards and math is the main constant. Software is more akin to baking you know what to make but how you make it will differ (largely because of different programing languages) as does the taste of the intended customer.
So the article contends that software doesn't play critical role in society. Apparently the author doesnt know that most power plants, nuclear or even hydroelectric are run by software, not to mention a few small things like medical equipment. Oh and airplanes use sofware too.... wait software is in almost all critical engineering projects.