Shareholders' Equity - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Precigen shareholders' equity	$ 131,247	$ 159,196	$ 67,174	$ 58,552	$ 49,542	$ 71,711
Total accumulated other comprehensive income
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Precigen shareholders' equity	1,515	$ 2,541	3,997	$ 1,362	$ (650)	$ (27,468)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Precigen shareholders' equity	(30)		13
Income on foreign currency translation adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Precigen shareholders' equity	$ 1,545		$ 3,984