Accounts Payable Current Accounts payable Accounts Receivable Net Current Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $12,731 and $10,200, respectively Accrual For Environmental Loss Contingencies Gross Environmental reserves, not discounted (approx) Accrual For Environmental Loss Contingencies Undiscounted Due Within One Year Environmental reserves, current reserves Accrued Income Taxes Current Accrued income taxes Accrued Income Taxes Noncurrent Income taxes payable Accrued legal charges. Accrued Legal Charges Legal accruals Accrued Liabilities Current Accrued expenses and other current liabilities Accumulated Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Property Plant And Equipment Accumulated depreciation and amortization Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Additional authorized amount to repurchase of common stock under program. Additional Authorized Amount To Repurchase Of Common Stock Under Program Additional authorized amount to repurchase of common stock under program Additional Paid In Capital Common Stock Additional paid-in-capital Additional Paid In Capital [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Adjustments Noncash Items To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities, net of effects of businesses acquired and divested: Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Sharebased Compensation Requisite Service Period Recognition Value Amortization of stock based compensation Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Share Based Compensation Restricted Stock Units Requisite Service Period Recognition Adjustment to restricted stock compensation expense Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Tax Effect From Share Based Compensation Net tax benefit on employee stock plans Aggregate underwriting discount on senior notes. Aggregate Underwriting Discount On Senior Notes Aggregate underwriting discount on senior notes Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense Cost of revenues Share-based compensation expense before taxes Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense Net Of Tax Share-based compensation expense, net of taxes Share-based compensation expense, net of taxes Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable Current Allowance for doubtful accounts Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Amortization Of Debt Discount Premium Amortization of discount on liability component Debt discount amortization and other non-cash interest expense Amortization Of Financing Costs Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs Amortization Of Intangible Assets Amortization of intangible assets Amortization of inventory fair market value adjustments. Amortization Of Inventory Fair Market Value Adjustments Amortization of inventory fair market value adjustments Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount Antidilutive stock options Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share By Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Antidilutive Securities Name [Domain] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Approval time to repurchase common stock. Approval Time To Repurchase Common Stock Approval time to repurchase the common stock Assets Total assets Assets [Abstract] ASSETS Assets Current Total current assets Assets Current [Abstract] Current assets: Assets Fair Value Disclosure Assets-derivative forward exchange contracts Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Bank Time Deposits [Member] Bank Time Deposits [Member] Base Rate Borrowings [Member] Base Rate Borrowings [Member] Base Rate Borrowings [Member] Basis Of Accounting Policy Policy [Text Block] Financial Statement Preparation Building And Building Improvements [Member] Building and Building Improvements [Member] Letters of credit to support building lease requirements. Building Lease Requirements [Member] Building lease requirements [Member] Buildings And Improvements Gross Building and improvements Business Acquisition Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition Contingent Consideration At Fair Value Contingent considerations Business Acquisition Contingent Consideration At Fair Value Current Contingent consideration current portion Business Acquisition Contingent Consideration Shares Issuable Common stock shares Business acquisition, milestone payments, cash Paid. Business Acquisition Milestone Payments Cash Paid Business Acquisition, milestone payments, cash paid Business acquisition, milestone payments, shares or equivalents issued value. Business Acquisition Milestone Payments Shares Or Equivalents Issued Value Business acquisition settlement Business acquisition technological milestone payment potential consideration. Business Acquisition Technological Milestone Payments Potential Consideration Achievement and settlement of the Ion Torrent milestone obligation Business Combination Acquisition Related Costs Business integration costs Business Combination Contingent Consideration Arrangements Change In Amount Of Contingent Consideration Liability Contingent consideration related to reduction to cost of revenues for fair value adjustments Business Combination Contingently Issuable Shares Business Combination Contingently Issuable Shares Business combination contingently issuable shares Business Combination Contingently Issuable Shares Value Business Combination Contingently Issuable Shares Value Business combination contingently issuable shares Business Combinations Policy Business Combinations Capital Lease Obligations Capital leases Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Cliff vesting term of restricted stock units, maximum. Cliff Vesting Term Of Restricted Stock Units Maximum Cliff vesting term of restricted stock units, maximum Commitments And Contingencies Commitments and contingencies Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Common Stock Capital Shares Reserved For Future Issuance Company's common stock reserved for granting of new awards Common Stock [Member] Common Stock [Member] Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value Common Stock Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock Shares Issued Common stock, shares issued Common Stock Value Common stock; $0.01 par value, 400,000,000 shares authorized; 217,286,424 and 211,652,864 shares issued, respectively Compensation Related Costs Policy [Text Block] Share-Based Compensation, Stock Options and Purchase Rights, Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Awards Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Total comprehensive income attributable to Life Technologies Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Total comprehensive income Consolidation Policy [Text Block] Principles of Consolidation Construction In Progress Gross Construction in process Contingent Consideration relieved during the period. Contingent Consideration Accrued During Period Contingent Consideration accrual relieved during the period Contingent consideration. Contingent Consideration [Member] Contingent Considerations [Member] Contractual interest based on the stated coupon rate. Contractual Interest Based On Stated Coupon Rate Contractual interest based on stated coupon rate Contributions From Noncontrolling Interests Cash contribution from non-controlling interest Non-controlling interest contribution Conversion Value Of Notes Conversion Value Of Notes Conversion value of senior note over par value Convertible Notes Payable Senior Convertible Notes Senior Notes Convertible Notes Payable [Member] Convertible Senior Notes Payable [Member] Convertible notes payable one. Convertible Notes Payable One [Member] 1 1/2% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2024 [Member] Convertible notes payable two. Convertible Notes Payable Two [Member] 3 1/4% Convertible Senior Notes due 2025 [Member] Cost Method Investments Aggregate Carrying Amount Long-term investments in equity securities Cost Of Revenue Cost of revenues Cost Of Sales [Member] Cost of Sales [Member] Currency impact on intercompany settlements. Currency Impact On Intercompany Settlements Other noncash adjustments Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Customer Lists [Member] Purchased Customer Base [Member] Debt And Capital Lease Obligations Total debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Lines of Credit Debt Instrument Basis Spread On Variable Rate Range of borrowing rate margin over base Debt instrument basis spread on variable redemption rate. Debt Instrument Basis Spread On Variable Redemption Rate Redemption rate Debt Instrument Call Feature Redemption price of senior notes Debt Instrument Carrying Value Debt Instrument Carrying Value Carrying value of notes, current liabilities Debt Instrument Convertible Conversion Price 1 Conversion value Debt Instrument Convertible Interest Expense Total interest expense for convertible senior notes Debt Instrument Face Amount Aggregate principal amount of senior notes, convertible senior notes and term loans Debt Instrument Fair Value Senior Notes Debt Instrument Fee Amount Legal and accounting fees related to senior notes Debt Instrument Interest Rate Effective Percentage Effective interest rates of senior notes Debt Instrument Interest Rate Stated Percentage Interest on senior notes Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt instrument redemption rate. Debt Instrument Redemption Rate Percentage of principal amount notes redeemed Debt Instrument [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Debt Instrument Unamortized Discount Unamortized debt discount of senior notes Decreases in tax positions due to changes in currency rates. Decreases In Tax Positions Due To Changes In Currency Rates Decreases in tax positions due to changes in currency rates Deferred Compensation Arrangement With Individual Excluding Share Based Payments And Postretirement Benefits By Type Of Deferred Compensation [Axis] Deferred Bonus and Profit Sharing Plan, Type of Deferred Compensation [Axis] Deferred Compensation Arrangement With Individual Excluding Share Based Payments And Postretirement Benefits [Line Items] Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Excluding Share-based Payments and Postretirement Benefits [Line Items] Deferred Compensation Arrangement With Individual Share Based Payments [Line Items] Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items] Deferred Compensation Liability Current Deferred compensation and related benefits Deferred Compensation Liability Current And Noncurrent Deferred compensation accrual Deferred Compensation Plan Assets Deferred compensation plan assets, invested in mutual funds Deferred compensation plan assets. 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Basis of Presentation - Computations for Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share [Abstract] Disclosure Basis Of Presentation Computations For Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Disclosure - Basis of Presentation - Computations for Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share [Abstract] Disclosure - Basis of Presentation - Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract] Disclosure Basis Of Presentation Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions And Methodology [Abstract] Disclosure - Basis of Presentation - Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract] Disclosure - Basis of Presentation - Share Based Compensation Expense for Employee Stock Options and Purchase Rights [Abstract] Disclosure Basis Of Presentation Share Based Compensation Expense For Employee Stock Options And Purchase Rights [Abstract] Disclosure - Basis of Presentation - Share Based Compensation Expense for Employee Stock Options and Purchase Rights [Abstract] Disclosure - Basis of Presentation - Share Based Compensation Expense for Restricted Stock Units [Abstract] Disclosure Basis Of Presentation Share Based Compensation Expense For Restricted Stock Units [Abstract] Disclosure - Basis of Presentation - Share Based Compensation Expense for Restricted Stock Units [Abstract] Disclosure Commitments And Contingencies Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Commitments And Contingencies Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Commitments And Contingencies Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Composition of Certain Financial Statement Items - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Items Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Composition of Certain Financial Statement Items - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Composition of Certain Financial Statement Items - Reconciliation of Equity [Abstract] Disclosure Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Items Reconciliation Of Equity [Abstract] Disclosure - Composition of Certain Financial Statement Items - Reconciliation of Equity [Abstract] Disclosure - Composition of Certain Financial Statement Items - Schedule of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract] Disclosure Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Items Schedule Of Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Abstract] Disclosure - Composition of Certain Financial Statement Items - Schedule of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract] Disclosure - Composition of Certain Financial Statement Items - Schedule of Inventory [Abstract] Disclosure Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Items Schedule Of Inventory [Abstract] Disclosure - Composition of Certain Financial Statement Items - Schedule of Inventory [Abstract] Disclosure - Composition of Certain Financial Statement Items - Schedule of Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets [Abstract] Disclosure Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Items Schedule Of Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets [Abstract] Disclosure - Composition of Certain Financial Statement Items - Schedule of Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets [Abstract] Disclosure - Composition of Certain Financial Statement Items - Schedule of Property Plant and Equipment [Abstract] Disclosure Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Items Schedule Of Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract] Disclosure - Composition of Certain Financial Statement Items - Schedule of Property Plant and Equipment [Abstract] Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Activities of Financial Instruments Liabilities with Significant Level 3 Inputs [Abstract] Disclosure Fair Value Of Financial Instruments Activities Of Financial Instruments Liabilities With Significant Level 3 Inputs [Abstract] Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Activities of Financial Instruments Liabilities with Significant Level 3 Inputs [Abstract] Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Fair Value Of Financial Instruments Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Effect of Derivative Instruments on Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract] Disclosure Fair Value Of Financial Instruments Effect Of Derivative Instruments On Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract] Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Effect of Derivative Instruments on Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract] Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Fair Value and Carrying Amounts of Company's Long-Term Debt Obligations [Abstract] Disclosure Fair Value Of Financial Instruments Fair Value And Carrying Amounts Of Companys Long Term Debt Obligations [Abstract] Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Fair Value and Carrying Amounts of Company's Long-Term Debt Obligations [Abstract] Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Fair Values of Derivative Instruments [Abstract] Disclosure Fair Value Of Financial Instruments Fair Values Of Derivative Instruments [Abstract] Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Fair Values of Derivative Instruments [Abstract] Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Investments in Financial Instruments [Abstract] Disclosure Fair Value Of Financial Instruments Investments In Financial Instruments [Abstract] Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Investments in Financial Instruments [Abstract] Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Summary of Fair Value and Valuation Approach of Financial Instruments [Abstract] Disclosure Fair Value Of Financial Instruments Summary Of Fair Value And Valuation Approach Of Financial Instruments [Abstract] Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Summary of Fair Value and Valuation Approach of Financial Instruments [Abstract] Disclosure Income Taxes Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Income Taxes Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Income Taxes Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Income Taxes - Summary of Unrecognized Tax Benefits [Abstract] Disclosure Income Taxes Summary Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits [Abstract] Disclosure - Income Taxes - Summary of Unrecognized Tax Benefits [Abstract] Disclosure - Lines of Credit - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Lines Of Credit Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Lines of Credit - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Long Term Debt Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Long Term Debt Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Long Term Debt Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Long Term Debt Long Term Debt [Abstract] Disclosure Long Term Debt Long Term Debt [Abstract] Disclosure Long Term Debt Long Term Debt [Abstract] Disclosure - Pension Plans and Postretirement Health and Benefit Program - Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost (Income) for Company's Pension and Postretirement Benefits Plans [Abstract] Disclosure Pension Plans And Postretirement Health And Benefit Program Components Of Net Periodic Pension Cost Income For Companys Pension And Postretirement Benefits Plans [Abstract] Disclosure - Pension Plans and Postretirement Health and Benefit Program - Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost (Income) for Company's Pension and Postretirement Benefits Plans [Abstract] Disclosure - Stock Repurchase Programs - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Stock Repurchase Programs Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Stock Repurchase Programs - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Subsequent Events Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Subsequent Events Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Subsequent Events Additional Information [Abstract] Discount rate on semi annual basis. Discount Rate On Semi Annual Basis Discount rate on semi annual basis Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract] Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract] Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract] Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Information [Table] Document Information [Table] Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Type Document Type Letters of credit to support duty on imported products. Duty On Imported Products [Member] Duty on Imported Products [Member] Earnings Per Share Basic Net income attributable to Life Technologies Earnings Per Share Basic [Abstract] Earnings per common share attributable to Life Technologies stockholders: Earnings Per Share Diluted Net income attributable to Life Technologies plus assumed conversions Earnings Per Share Policy [Text Block] Computation of Earnings Per Share Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations Effective tax rate Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Other Adjustments Effective tax rate, excluding impact of discrete items Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Tax Holidays Foreign earnings subject to tax holidays Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash And Cash Equivalents Effect of exchange rate changes on cash Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items] Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items] Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs Report Line [Domain] Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs, Report Line [Domain] Employee Service Share Based Compensation Nonvested Awards Total Compensation Cost Not Yet Recognized Unrecognized compensation cost related to employee stock options