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

N/ACompletedNCT07020234

Washington University School of Medicine2,040 enrolled

Overview

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.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

2,040

Conditions

Healthy

Interventions

Epigenetics VideoBEHAVIORAL

Educational video about health and epigenetics.

Nanotechnology VideoBEHAVIORAL

Educational video about nanotechnology

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: English language speaker, Identify as one of five racial/ethnic groups: 1. Non-Hispanic White 2. Non-Hispanic Black, 3. Non-Hispanic Asian 4. Non-Hispanic Indigenous (i.e., Alaska Native/Native Hawaiians/American Indian/Other Pacific Islander) 5. Hispanic (all races) Exclusion Criteria: * Self-identify as a genetics expert

Locations (1)

Washington University School of Medicine

St Louis, Missouri, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Knowledge & understanding of epigenetics Information

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

Time frame: At enrollment

Secondary Outcomes

Acceptability of epigenetics information

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).

Time frame: At enrollment

Perceptions of epigenetic information

We will measure this outcome using an 8 item scale.

Time frame: At enrollment

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.