Share-Based Payments - Intrexon Equity Plans - Schedule of Stock Option Activity (Details) - Intrexon Equity Plans - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Number of Shares
Balances at beginning of period (in shares)	11,382,747	11,640,383	11,043,528
Granted (in shares)	1,470,339	3,920,950	4,644,860
Adjustment due to dividend (in shares)		46,766
Exercised (in shares)	(45,159)	(149,429)	(1,210,840)
Forfeited (in shares)	(929,596)	(3,797,105)	(2,760,809)
Expired (in shares)	(785,268)	(278,818)	(76,356)
Balances at period end (in shares)	11,093,063	11,382,747	11,640,383	11,043,528
Weighted Average Exercise Price (usd per share)
Balances at beginning of period (in usd per share)	$ 28.99	$ 31.25	$ 32.66
Granted (in usd per share)	14.26	21.47	29.39
Adjustment due to dividend (in usd per share)		31.11
Exercised (in usd per share)	(6.59)	(6.37)	(15.83)
Forfeited (in usd per share)	(21.48)	(28.37)	(40.34)
Expired (in usd per share)	(26.25)	(33.18)	(37.81)
Balances at period end (in usd per share)	$ 27.95	28.99	$ 31.25	$ 32.66
Additional Disclosures
Exercisable at period end (in shares)	7,002,519
Options exercisable, weighted average exercise price (in usd per share)	$ 30.37	$ 29.96
Balances at period end, weighted average remaining contractual period	6 years 9 months 21 days	7 years 3 months 25 days	8 years 2 months 15 days	8 years 5 months 27 days
Exercisable at period end, weighted average remaining contractual period	5 years 11 months 20 days