Retarded?

There has been a big push lately to stricken the word retarded from usage. Growing up in the 80's, I know how the word was used to hurt the feelings of others, how it meant someone wasn't being very smart or was making a mistake, and I am completely on board with trying to change the general public's usage of the word when directed at people who are intellectually disabled.

But I am confused about striking a word out from usage that has a meaning outside of what people are upset about.

Retarded is often used to describe slow growth outside of mental capacity, such as with horticulture uses. Or in medical uses outside of intellectual disability.

Those working to have the "r" word removed from the lexicon compare it to the "n" word. Except the "n" word only meant people with black skin. Once there came a pejorative connotation, there was no other use for the word. That is not the case with retarded.

So, if anyone out there has the answer, please share.