HealthyNCT07713667
Investigating ELSI Issues That May Facilitate or Impede Clinical Translation of Epigenetic Research. Phase 3a Survey
A study testing Uncertainty Video, Uncertainty Normalization Video and Epigenetics Video in people with Healthy, run by Washington University School of Medicine.
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?
- Uncertainty Video, Uncertainty Normalization Video and Epigenetics Video
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 1,000 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 1 Aug 2026to 1 Oct 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Investigating ELSI Issues That May Facilitate or Impede Clinical Translation of Epigenetic Research.
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).
- Conditions
- Healthy
- Being tested
- Uncertainty Video, Uncertainty Normalization Video, Epigenetics 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.
Uncertainty VideoBehavioural
Video introducing uncertainty about epigenetics research.
Uncertainty Normalization VideoBehavioural
Video normalizing uncertainty about epigenetics research.
Epigenetics VideoBehavioural
Video about the concept of epigenetics
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Epigenetics Video | Active comparator | Participants will watch a brief (<5 minute) video about the concept of Epigenetics Receives: Behavioral: Epigenetics Video |
| Uncertainty Video | Experimental | Participants will watch a brief (<5 minute) video about the concept of Epigenetics as well as a brief (<1 minute) video introducing uncertainty about epigenetics research. Receives: Behavioral: Uncertainty Video; Behavioral: Epigenetics Video |
| Uncertainty Normalization Video | Experimental | Participants will watch a brief (<5 minute) video about the concept of Epigenetics as well as a brief (<1 minute) video normalizing uncertainty about epigenetics research. Receives: Behavioral: Uncertainty Normalization Video; Behavioral: Epigenetics Video |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Knowledge & understanding of epigenetics Information
Sum score of correct answers for 11 individual items. Scale ranges from 0 points to 11 points with higher scores indicating higher epigenetics knowledge.
Measured: Baseline survey, after intervention video
Secondary outcomes (2)
Acceptability of epigenetics information
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).
Measured: Baseline survey, after intervention video
Perceptions of epigenetic information
6 item scale where scores range from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater perceptions of epigenetic information.
Measured: Baseline survey, 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 posted20 Jul 2026
- Study start1 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion1 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Oct 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- 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
- 1,000 participants (estimated)
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
- NCT07713667
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 202606006
- Other IDs
- R01ES033743
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 8 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 20 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 20 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Investigating ELSI Issues That May Facilitate or Impede Clinical Translation of Epigenetic Research.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07713667
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 202606006
- Conditions
- Healthy
- Keywords
- Epigenomics, Epigenetics, Genetics, Behavioral, Bioethics
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 1,000 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Washington University School of MedicineUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
- Study start
- 1 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 1 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 20 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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).
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Epigenetics Video | Active comparator | Behavioral: Epigenetics VideoParticipants will watch a brief (<5 minute) video about the concept of Epigenetics |
| Uncertainty Video | Experimental | Behavioral: Uncertainty Video, Behavioral: Epigenetics VideoParticipants will watch a brief (<5 minute) video about the concept of Epigenetics as well as a brief (<1 minute) video introducing uncertainty about epigenetics research. |
| Uncertainty Normalization Video | Experimental | Behavioral: Uncertainty Normalization Video, Behavioral: Epigenetics VideoParticipants will watch a brief (<5 minute) video about the concept of Epigenetics as well as a brief (<1 minute) video normalizing uncertainty about epigenetics research. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- English language speaker,
- Non-Hispanic White
- Non-Hispanic Black,
- Non-Hispanic Asian
- Non-Hispanic Indigenous (i.e., Alaska Native/Native Hawaiians/American Indian/Other Pacific Islander)
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Self-identify as a genetics expert
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Uncertainty VideoVideo introducing uncertainty about epigenetics research. | Behavioural | Uncertainty Video |
| Uncertainty Normalization VideoVideo normalizing uncertainty about epigenetics research. | Behavioural | Uncertainty Normalization Video |
| Epigenetics VideoVideo about the concept of epigenetics | Behavioural | Epigenetics Video, Uncertainty Normalization Video, Uncertainty Video |
Primary outcome
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.
2 secondary outcomes
Acceptability of epigenetics information
Time frame: Baseline survey, after intervention video
Perceptions of epigenetic information
Time frame: Baseline survey, after intervention video
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 20 Jul 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Uncertainty Video, Uncertainty Normalization Video and Epigenetics Video in people with Healthy, run by Washington University School of Medicine.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 20 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Julia Maki, PhD (314-286-2835, jmaki@wustl.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Knowledge & understanding of epigenetics Information (time frame: Baseline survey, after intervention video). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 20 Jul 2026.