node_object_prepare() limits itself as API function by assuming current logged-in user

node_object_prepare() should not assume the present logged-in user.

  if (!isset($node->nid) || isset($node->is_new)) {
  // ...
    global $user;
    $node->uid = $user->uid;
  }

Looking more into this, it assumes a lot. The function says it is for edit forms but it still seems very useful for programmatic node creation- should it be refactored?