Shareholders' Equity - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Precigen shareholders' equity	$ 73,836	$ 107,348	$ 174,795	$ 67,174
Total accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Precigen shareholders' equity	(1,699)	203	$ 1,746	$ 3,997
Unrealized loss on investments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Precigen shareholders' equity	(1,133)	(331)
Income (loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Precigen shareholders' equity	$ (566)	$ 534