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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT07020234

National Survey to Understand Ethical, Legal and Social Issues in Communicating to the Public About Epigenetics

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 increase acceptance of using epigenetics in clinical settings.

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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

Primary location

Washington University School of Medicine

St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States

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

Epigenetics Video

Behavioral

Educational video about health and epigenetics.

Nanotechnology Video

Behavioral

Educational video about nanotechnology

Primary outcomes

  1. Knowledge & understanding of epigenetics Information

    Time frame: At enrollment

    We will measure this outcome using a sum score of correct answers for 8 individual items.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Acceptability of epigenetics information

    Time frame: At enrollment

    We will measure this outcome using 3 different constructs including perceived benefits of epigenetic research (7 item scale), perceived drawbacks of epigenetic research (3 items), and acceptance of using epigenetic research in medical support (3 items).

  2. Perceptions of epigenetic information

    Time frame: At enrollment

    We will measure this outcome using an 8 item scale.

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: National Survey

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Jun 13, 2025
Registry last updated
Sep 29, 2025

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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