Science Moms

Science Moms is a 30 minute, 2017 documentary film directed and produced by Natalie Newell. The film features five women, neuroscientist Alison Bernstein, Policy Director of Biology Fortified, Inc., Anastasia Bodnar, biotech scientist Layla Katiraee, science popularizer Kavin Senapathy, and writer Jenny Splitter.

According to the website the film is intended to "give a voice to the science-minded moms - the women who are too often drowned out by the fear mongers, the shamers, and the CelebMoms." Through interviews they purport to "...dissect the bogus claims of these celebrities one by one and explain in simple language what the science really shows about GMOs, vaccines, homeopathy, and any of these topics that are often in the headlines..."

The film premiered in Manchester, UK at a QED (Question, Explore, Discover) conference on October 14th, 2017. The United States premier took place in Las Vegas at CSICon on October 28, 2017.

Inspiration and Funding

Natalie Newell decided to create the film after reading a letter to "Celeb Moms" discouraging them from supporting labeling of genetically engineered food. Newell contacted one of the signatories, Jenny Splitter to discuss creating a documentary about "science-based parenting". Splitter contacted the other women and invited them to join the project which Newell then produced and directed.

The film obtained funding through a Kickstarter campaign. Among the donors are Cami Ryan Social Scientist for Monsanto Company, Montserrat Benitez, employee of Syngenta, Joan Conrow from the Cornell Alliance for Science, GMO Answers contributor Mary Mertz, and several others with ties to the agriculture and biotech industry. Vance Crowe, Monsanto's Director of Millennial Engagement receives special thanks at the end of the film.