Though Bush used words like "good judgement" and "complete integrity" to describe Stephen Johnson, the nominee for new EPA administrator, he's actually just another prick. Not only does Johnson support testing pesticides on humans, his preferred guinea pigs are poor black children.

As EPA Assistant Administrator for Toxic Substances, Johnson pushed for human testing of pesticides - something Clinton wanted nothing to do with. Under Bush, Johnson re-opened human tests for consideration. Last October, Johnson supported a study in which the EPA would monitor health effects of known toxins on infants over a two-year stretch. The Children's Environmental Exposure Research Study, CHEERS, recommends selecting subjects from three hospitals in Duvall County, Florida, that "primarily serve individuals with lower incomes," and have a higher percentage "of births to individuals classified as black."

The American Chemistry Council - a group made up of America's pesticide manufacturers - have generously funded the study. The Council expects few short-term effects to be noted, allowing them to lobby for weaker regulations.

» Scott Saxon