A decision by the state Health Deparment to seek federal funds for abstinence-only sex education programs flies in the face of past practice, state policy, a wise trend in the opposite direction and solid research.

It's not a good idea.

The state is applying for $1.7 million, which would be disbursed to organizations and schools that want to teach an abstinence-until-marriage program that simultaneously restricts teaching about other birth-control methods or condom use to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.

California was the first state to forgo such funding and, since Gov. Ed Rendell took office in 2003, Pennsylvania has not distributed it. At least 16 other states don't apply either.

This sound, hands-off policy didn't hurt the schools and organizations in Pennsylvania that wanted to provide abstinence-only programs. They could apply directly to the federal government for millions of dollars available through earmarks sponsored by Sen. Arlen Specter, and they certainly did. According to the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States and Partners, groups in the state received $10 million in the 2007 fiscal year, and only four states had higher totals.

So why is the health department applying, even though it favors comprehensive sex education that teaches students about contraception and birth control as well as abstinence?

Claudine Battisti, a department spokewoman, said the state decided not to stand any longer in the way of agencies that want the funding, although Pennsylvania won't provide any matching funds. She further said the federal government's criterion was altered and now says that materials used in the abstinence-only programs must be medically accurate.

Yet there's bound to be plenty of debate over what constitutes misleading information and what's medically accurate.

Numerous studies have concluded the abstinence-only programs have been ineffective in delaying sexual activity by teens, don't teach them how to prevent disease and pretty much pretend that gays and lesbians don't exist.

It would have been wiser for Pennsylvania to stay out of this dream world altogether.