Pediatrician Challenges State Superintendent on Sex Determination: A Look at International Expertise and the Complex Science Behind It

Dr. Edward Gustavson, a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, responded to a statement made by State Superintendent Ryan Walters in an article published in Tulsa World. In the article, Walters stated that he would not bow down to what he referred to as a “woke mob” with certainty derived from the Bible. However, Gustavson critiqued Walters’ labeling by suggesting that it does not effectively address the challenges children are facing today.

In an effort to challenge Walters’ understanding of the issue, Gustavson shared details from an international meeting he attended in 2006 at the Pediatric Endocrine Center of Oklahoma City’s Children’s Hospital. At this event, experts in genetics, physiology, anatomy, psychology, and social sciences explained that sexual determination is not strictly male or female at birth due to a variety of factors. Gustavson emphasized that genetic information disproves the oversimplified notion that sex is determined solely by X and Y chromosomes, with data showing the influence of numerous genetic sites on this complex process.

Reflecting on his own educational background, which included studies in genetics at notable institutions like the Children’s Hospital of Boston and Harvard Medical School, Gustavson highlighted the evolution of scientific understanding in this area. He emphasized that genetic variations (alleles) play a critical role in shaping human development and early sex determination methods have been proven to be unreliable in many cases. Gustavson also criticized Walters’ perspective on educational matters, asserting that as a consultant for multiple school districts in Oklahoma