Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Revenues
Revenues	$ 90,722	$ 151,178	$ 219,463
Operating Expenses
Impairment loss	120,489	60,504	16,773
Other Income (Expense), Net
Unrealized and realized appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of equity securities and preferred stock, net	7,833	(30,200)	2,586
Equity in net loss of affiliates	(6,730)	(11,608)	(14,283)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(208,687)	(429,742)	(78,367)
Income tax benefit (expense)	930	15,425	(2,072)
Net loss from discontinued operations attributable to Precigen	(116,159)	(100,389)	(46,381)
Net loss	(323,916)	(514,706)	(126,820)
Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests	1,592	5,370	9,802
Net loss attributable to Precigen	(322,324)	(509,336)	(117,018)
Amounts Attributable to Precigen
Net loss from continuing operations attributable to Precigen	(206,165)	(408,947)	(70,637)
Net loss from discontinued operations attributable to Precigen	(116,159)	(100,389)	(46,381)
Net loss attributable to Precigen	$ (322,324)	$ (509,336)	$ (117,018)
Net Loss per Share
Net loss from continuing operations attributable to Precigen per share, basic and diluted (in usd per share)	$ (1.34)	$ (3.16)	$ (0.59)
Net loss from discontinued operations attributable to Precigen per share, basic and diluted (in usd per share)	(0.75)	(0.77)	(0.39)
Net loss attributable to Precigen per share, basic and diluted (in usd per share)	$ (2.09)	$ (3.93)	$ (0.98)
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted (in shares)	154,138,774	129,521,731	119,998,826
Collaboration and licensing agreements
Revenues
Revenues	$ 14,059	$ 69,540	$ 134,624
Continuing Operations
Revenues
Revenues	90,722	151,178	219,463
Operating Expenses
Research and development	101,879	366,248	109,176
Selling, general and administrative	100,844	125,751	130,682
Impairment loss	30,810	0	13,823
Total operating expenses	294,934	554,675	315,373
Operating loss	(204,212)	(403,497)	(95,910)
Other Income (Expense), Net
Unrealized and realized appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of equity securities and preferred stock, net	8,291	(28,273)	10,130
Interest expense	(17,666)	(8,473)	(584)
Interest and dividend income	3,871	19,017	19,431
Other income, net	3,445	470	1,002
Total other income (expense), net	(2,059)	(17,259)	29,979
Equity in net loss of affiliates	(2,416)	(8,986)	(12,436)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(208,687)	(429,742)	(78,367)
Income tax benefit (expense)	930	15,425	(2,072)
Loss from continuing operations	(207,757)	(414,317)	(80,439)
Continuing Operations | Collaboration and licensing agreements
Revenues
Revenues	14,059	69,540	134,624
Continuing Operations | Product
Revenues
Revenues	23,780	28,486	33,585
Operating Expenses
Cost of product and services	31,930	35,087	33,236
Continuing Operations | Service
Revenues
Revenues	51,803	52,419	50,611
Operating Expenses
Cost of product and services	29,471	27,589	28,456
Continuing Operations | Other
Revenues
Revenues	$ 1,080	$ 733	$ 643