# Investigating ELSI issues that may facilitate or impede clinical translation of epigenomic research

> **NIH NIH R01** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $626,490

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Environmental factors that influence disease may do so by chemically altering parts of the DNA that regulate
gene expression. These modifications to the genetic code are referred to as “epigenetics.” Epigenetic changes
can be acquired via exposure to environmental pollutants, social stress, or lifestyle behaviors. The benefit or
harm of these changes depends on the purpose of the gene and how the change alters genetic expression.
Communication
facilitate
from
genetic
strategies that help people understand and use epigenetic information are needed to (1)
 translation o epigenetics research to clinical settings, (2) address potentially misleading information
the mass media, and (3) prevent the propagation of harmful beliefs associated with epigenetics, such as
determinism, essentialism, discrimination, racism, and stigma. Our objective is
f
to facilitate the
translation process by developing epigenetic communication strategies that are understandable and
meaningful to socio-demographically diverse audiences, and that minimize harmful beliefs (e.g., determinism).
Thespecific aims will: (1)Determine how people come to understand and interpret epigenetics information; (2)
Examine the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of epigenetics for (a) creating or minimizing harmful
beliefs and (b) promoting or discouraging acceptance of using epigenetics in clinical settings; (3) identify
strategies for communicating information about epigenetics in a way that fosters understanding of epigenetic
concepts, minimizes harmful beliefs, and increases acceptance of using epigenetics in clinical settings; and (4)
Determine how race, ethnicity, and formal education shape the results of Aims 1-3. We will use an exploratory
sequential mixed methods design that includes one qualitative phase followed by two consecutive quantitative
phases. The qualitative phase will include 20 focus groups (N=160 total, n=8 per group). The quantitative
phases will include a nationally-representative, population-based survey (N=1,870) and a full-factorial
experiment to test communication strategies (N=1,954). The
of
non-Hispanic
and
participants
translation
about
demographically
marginalized
public
a
sample for each phase, which includes members
the general public will be stratified to be approximately equally divided by race and ethnicity (i.e., Hispanic,
Black, non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Asian, non-Hispanic American Indian, Native Hawaiian,
other Pacific Islander) and approximately equally divided by formal education (i.e., at least 50% of
with no college experience. Our proposed research will overcome a critical barrier to the equitable
of basic epigenetics research into clinical and public health practice: limited scientific knowledge
how to communicate about epigenetics in way a that is understandable and meaningful to socio-
diverse audiences, tha minimizes harmful beliefs, and that includes t he perspectives of
populations. Furthermore, our findings could b...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10523912
- **Project number:** 1R01ES033743-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Erika A Waters
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $626,490
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-06 → 2027-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10523912

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10523912, Investigating ELSI issues that may facilitate or impede clinical translation of epigenomic research (1R01ES033743-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10523912. Licensed CC0.

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