Healthy
Conditions
Keywords
Epigenomics, Epigenetics, Genetics, Behavioral, Bioethics
Brief 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 are understandable and that do not increase ethical, legal or social issues (ELSI).
Interventions
BEHAVIORALUncertainty Video
Video introducing uncertainty about epigenetics research.
BEHAVIORALUncertainty Normalization Video
Video normalizing uncertainty about epigenetics research.
BEHAVIORALEpigenetics Video
Video about the concept of epigenetics
Sponsors
Washington University School of Medicine
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
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
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge & understanding of epigenetics Information | 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
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptability of epigenetics information | 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). |
| Perceptions of epigenetic information | Baseline survey, after intervention video | 6 item scale where scores range from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater perceptions of epigenetic information. |
Contacts
CONTACTJulia Maki, PhD
CONTACTErika Waters, PhD, MPH
Outcome results
None listed