Shareholders' Equity - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Precigen shareholders' equity			$ 71,711	$ 378,722
Total accumulated other comprehensive income
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Precigen shareholders' equity	$ 203	$ 3,997	$ (27,468)	$ (28,612)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Precigen shareholders' equity	(331)	13
Income on foreign currency translation adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Precigen shareholders' equity	$ 534	$ 3,984