HealthyNCT07020234
National Survey to Understand Ethical, Legal and Social Issues in Communicating to the Public About Epigenetics
A study testing Epigenetics Video and Nanotechnology Video in people with Healthy, run by Washington University School of Medicine at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
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… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Healthy
- What is being tested?
- Epigenetics Video and Nanotechnology Video
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 2,040 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 12 Jun 2025to 18 Jul 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- 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)
Who cannot join
- Self-identify as a genetics expert
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
Washington University School of Medicine
St Louis, Missouri, 63110
About this study
Official title: Investigating ELSI Issues That May Facilitate or Impede Clinical Translation of Epigenetic Research: National 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 increase acceptance of using epigenetics in clinical settings.
- Conditions
- Healthy
- Being tested
- Epigenetics Video, Nanotechnology Video
- Keywords
- Epigenomics, Epigenetics, Genetics, Behavioral, Bioethics
- Medical subject headings
- Behavior
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Epigenetics VideoBehavioural
Educational video about health and epigenetics.
Nanotechnology VideoBehavioural
Educational video about nanotechnology
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Epigenetics Video | Experimental | Participants will watch a brief (<5 minute) video about the concept of Epigenetics Receives: Behavioral: Epigenetics Video |
| Nanotechnology Video | Active comparator | Participants will watch a brief (<5 minute) video about nanotechnology Receives: Behavioral: Nanotechnology Video |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Knowledge & Understanding of Epigenetics Information
We will measure this outcome using a sum score of correct answers for 8 individual items. Scale ranges from 0 points to 8 points with higher scores indicating higher epigenetics knowledge.
Measured: After intervention video
Secondary outcomes (2)
Acceptability of Epigenetics Information
We will measure this outcome using 3 different constructs including perceived benefits of epigenetic research (items 1-7, ranging from 1 to 5 with higher scores indicating higher perceived benefits), perceived drawbacks of epigenetic research (items 8-10, ranging from 1 to 5 with higher scores indicating higher perceived drawbacks), and acceptance of using epigenetic research in medical support (items 11-13, ranging from 1 to 5 with higher scores indicating higher acceptance of using epigenetic research in medical support). Each item was analyzed separately.
Measured: After intervention video
Perceptions of Epigenetic Information
We will measure this outcome using an 6 item scale. Scores range from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater perceptions of epigenetic information.
Measured: After intervention video
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted13 Jun 2025
- Study start12 Jun 2025
- Primary completion18 Jul 2025
- Study completion18 Jul 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Other trials for HealthyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Washington University School of MedicineThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 2,040 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Washington University School of Medicine
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07020234
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 202503082
- Other IDs
- R01ES033743
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 5 Jun 2025
- Last updated
- 14 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes