Consumers – Six-Legged Aggie

Erfan VafaieMay 2, 2016June 2, 2016Consumers, GeneralLeave a comment

I was recently asked a series of questions on the release of the genetically modified mosquito produced by Oxitec. Snippets of my responses were published in a Forbes Opinion Article entitled “You can help stop these deadly mosquitoes“, written by Kavin Senapathy, who also asks a number of other scientists questions related to the potential release of the Oxitec Mosquito in the Florida Keys .

Here is my email below:

Do the benefits of the pilot release of Oxitec mosquitoes in the Florida Keys outweigh the risks? What are the real risks, and how do they compare with public perception of the risks?

Continue reading “The Genetically Modified Mosquito”

Erfan VafaieSeptember 16, 2014December 4, 2014Consumers, Growersbiochemical, biochemical pesticide, biopesticides, EPA, IPM, natural, non-toxic, organic, pest, pest managementLeave a comment

There is an increasing trend towards organic and natural products – from food, cosmetics, and even down to the choice in pesticides. It’s not uncommon for people to lean towards or prefer a pesticide that is ‘natural’. After all, an unnatural pesticide will be more harmful, right? However, there’s a discrepancy between perceived safety of ‘natural’ and the reality. For starters, there seems to be no regulation on the word “natural”. As the FDA puts it,

Continue reading “‘Natural’ Pesticides – Softer on good insects?”