Share-Based Payments - Intrexon Stock Option Plans - Schedule of Stock Option Activity (Details) - Intrexon Stock Option Plans - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Number of Shares
Balances at beginning of period (in shares)	11,640,383	11,043,528	8,323,544
Granted (in shares)	3,920,950	4,644,860	5,051,500
Adjustment due to dividend (in shares)	46,766		312,795
Exercised (in shares)	(149,429)	(1,210,840)	(1,029,291)
Forfeited (in shares)	(3,797,105)	(2,760,809)	(1,610,335)
Expired (in shares)	(278,818)	(76,356)	(4,685)
Balances at period end (in shares)	11,382,747	11,640,383	11,043,528	8,323,544
Weighted Average Exercise Price (usd per share)
Balances at beginning of period (in usd per share)	$ 31.25	$ 32.66	$ 22.59
Granted (in usd per share)	21.47	29.39	45.82
Adjustment due to dividend (in usd per share)	31.11		25.40
Exercised (in usd per share)	(6.37)	(15.83)	(15.16)
Forfeited (in usd per share)	(28.37)	(40.34)	(26.75)
Expired (in usd per share)	(33.18)	(37.81)	(28.29)
Balances at period end (in usd per share)	$ 28.99	31.25	$ 32.66	$ 22.59
Additional Disclosures
Exercisable at period end (in shares)	5,306,697
Options exercisable, weighted average exercise price (in usd per share)	$ 29.96	$ 28.09
Balances at period end, weighted average remaining contractual period	7 years 3 months 25 days	8 years 2 months 15 days	8 years 5 months 27 days	8 years 7 months 21 days
Exercisable at period end, weighted average remaining contractual period	6 years 1 month 20 days