The issue of biogenetics, such as changing a potato's genetic makeup to resist insects and disease, has been controversial. Some people see this as a way to increase production for the world's poor while decreasing the need for chemicals. Others fear there may be adverse consequences. We need to look at what the world would be like without previous scientific advancements. Take hybrid corn, for example.
Corn is a major world crop.
Without hybrids, corn production would likely be well under half of what it is now. So that's a big part of feeding the world. India is now self-sufficient in food most years, and 40 years ago people would never have thought that possible. These developments are the result of using science to make changes in natural production, and that's what biotechnology also is, basically using all the tools that are at our disposal to produce more food and improve quality. Some critics fear not having proper checks and balances.