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NCT Number: NCT07713667

Investigating ELSI Issues That May Facilitate or Impede Clinical Translation of Epigenetic Research. Phase 3a Survey

Few people realize that environmental pollution and some behaviors like physical activity and tobacco smoking can affect their health by "turning on" or "turning off" certain genes through a process called "epigenetic modification." This study will develop and test strategies for communicating about epigenetics that are understandable and that do not increase ethical, legal or social issues (ELSI).

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy Behavior

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • English language speaker,

Identify as one of five racial/ethnic groups:

  • Non-Hispanic White
  • Non-Hispanic Black,
  • Non-Hispanic Asian
  • Non-Hispanic Indigenous (i.e., Alaska Native/Native Hawaiians/American Indian/Other Pacific Islander)
  • Hispanic (all races)

Exclusion criteria

  • Self-identify as a genetics expert

Treatment and study plan

Uncertainty Video

Behavioral

Video introducing uncertainty about epigenetics research.

Uncertainty Normalization Video

Behavioral

Video normalizing uncertainty about epigenetics research.

Epigenetics Video

Behavioral

Video about the concept of epigenetics

Primary outcomes

  1. Knowledge & understanding of epigenetics Information

    Time frame: Baseline survey, after intervention video

    Sum score of correct answers for 11 individual items. Scale ranges from 0 points to 11 points with higher scores indicating higher epigenetics knowledge.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Acceptability of epigenetics information

    Time frame: Baseline survey, after intervention video

    Three constructs including perceived benefits of epigenetic research (7 items, ranging from 1 to 5 with higher scores indicating higher perceived benefits), perceived drawbacks of epigenetic research (3 items, ranging from 1 to 5 with higher scores indicating higher perceived drawbacks), and acceptance of using epigenetic research in medical support (3 items, ranging from 1 to 5 with higher scores indicating higher acceptance of using epigenetic research in medical support).

  2. Perceptions of epigenetic information

    Time frame: Baseline survey, after intervention video

    6 item scale where scores range from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater perceptions of epigenetic information.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Erika Waters, PhD, MPH

CONTACT

[email protected]

3147475705

Julia Maki, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

314-286-2835

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Washington University School of Medicine

Other

Collaborators

  • National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

Registry information

Official study title

Investigating ELSI Issues That May Facilitate or Impede Clinical Translation of Epigenetic Research.

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jul 20, 2026
Registry last updated
Jul 20, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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