In his column, Mart Saarma, the president of the Academy of Sciences, highlights the significant genetic differences between wild and cultivated plants, indicating that the latter can often be classified as genetically modified organisms. He argues that genetic technology, while capable of creating targeted modifications, should more accurately be referred to as precision breeding rather than traditional genetic modification. This distinction matters, especially in agricultural practice and public perception of genetically altered foods.

Saarma points out that hunger remains a pressing global issue, with approximately 733 million people suffering from it in 2023, representing one in every eleven people worldwide. This crisis has historical roots in Estonia as well, where severe famines affected the population in the 19th century due to crop failures. Learning from the past, the improvement of crop varieties since the 1860s, following Gregor Mendel's pivotal research on plant hybridization, serves as a foundation for today's scientific breeding techniques, which are crucial to enhancing food security.

The advancements in agricultural science through precision breeding techniques may play a vital role in addressing current food shortages and improving crop resilience against climate challenges. Saarma's insights emphasize the importance of scientific innovation in agriculture and its potential to alleviate hunger, particularly in regions historically affected by food scarcity, like Estonia, while also shaping the future of sustainable farming practices globally.