In an article published in the Tulsa World, Dr. Edward Gustavson, a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, responded to state Superintendent Ryan Walters’ statement that he would not bow to what he called a “woke mob” with biblical certainty. However, Gustavson criticized Walters’ labeling, suggesting that it does not effectively address the challenges facing children today.
To challenge Walters’ understanding of the issue, Gustavson shared details from an international meeting he attended in 2006 at the Pediatric Endocrine Center at Children’s Hospital Oklahoma City. At this event, experts in genetics, physiology, anatomy, psychology and social sciences explained that sex determination is not exclusively male or female at birth due to a number of factors. Gustavson emphasized that the genetic information refutes the oversimplified idea that sex is determined solely by the X and I chromosomes, with the data showing the influence of numerous genetic locations on this complex process.
Reflecting on his own education, which included studies in genetics at notable institutions such as Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Gustavsson highlighted the evolution of scientific understanding in the field. He emphasized that genetic variations (alleles) play a key role in shaping human development and that methods of early sex determination have proven unreliable in many cases. Gustavson also criticized Walters’ perspective on education issues, claiming that as a consultant to several Oklahoma school districts, he noticed discrepancies in the superintendent’s portrayal of the actions and intentions of various stakeholders.
Furthermore, Gustavson suggested that Christian belief does not require the rejection of scientific, legal and literary knowledge. Encouraging open dialogue on the topic