It may be fine for an anti-abortion, anti-birth control, anti-sex-before-marriage doctor to supervise a $30 million federal program encouraging abstinence among teenagers. Dr. Eric Keroack does endorse abstinence, which is what the federal program is all about.

Dr. Keroack is not appropriate, however, to serve in the position to which President Bush appointed him this month -- deputy assistant secretary for population affairs for the Department of Health and Human Services. In addition to the $30 million abstinence program, he will control $280 million in federal funds designated specifically for family planning and reproductive health care. Clinics supported by the money provide information about a broad range of family planning methods, as well as testing for things like cervical cancer and breast cancer.

Before the president elevated him, Dr. Keroack served as medical director for a group of pregnancy counseling clinics in Massachusetts called "A Woman's Concern." The clinics have had a reputation among family planning groups of opposing artificial forms of contraception. At one time, its Web site explained: "A Woman's Concern is persuaded that the crass commercialization and distribution of birth control is demeaning to women, degrading of human sexuality and adverse to human health and happiness."

This is not the position of most physicians. They believe studies have shown certain contraceptives effectively prevent both pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. It is also not the position of the vast majority of sexually active women of reproductive age who use some form of birth control.

Dr. Keroack now claims he doesn't believe birth control is demeaning to women and an HHS spokesman has said Dr. Keroack prescribed contraceptives while in private practice.

That's not convincing when he's got $280 million intended to provide information on a broad range of contraceptives, not just abstinence. In addition, it's disturbing that Dr. Keroack has allowed his certification as an obstetrician-gynecologist to lapse.

Numerous women's groups, at least 14 senators and seven House members, all Democrats, have asked HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt to withdraw Dr. Keroack's appointment. He should. The man just isn't qualified.