CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss attributable to BioTime, Inc.	$ (21,425,703)	$ (16,515,500)	$ (11,184,618)
Net loss allocation to noncontrolling interest	(3,880,157)	(1,928,383)	(1,002,589)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss attributable to BioTime, Inc. to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation expense	386,457	373,349	138,659
Amortization of intangible assets	2,446,975	1,991,200	790,117
Amortization of deferred consulting fees	598,465	598,465	520,212
Amortization of deferred license fees	109,500	109,500	227,167
Amortization of deferred rent	1,890	71,118	21,029
Amortization of deferred license, royalty and subscription revenues	(211,065)	(234,781)	(292,904)
Amortization of deferred grant revenues	(261,777)	0	(1,620)
Stock-based compensation	1,282,507	1,217,522	638,709
Options issued as independent director compensation	561,455	584,891	455,022
Reduction in receivables from the reversal of revenues	207,425	0	0
Write-off of security deposit	0	2,443	0
Write off of expired inventory	0	1,510	4,008
Loss on sale or write-off of equipment	19,681	6,416	993
Bad debt expense	16,816	100,230	0
Modification cost of warrants	0	0	2,142,201
Share in net loss of associated company	0	0	258,493
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	36,322	(120,678)	(77,907)
Grant receivable	(416,787)	261,777	(256,714)
Inventory	(4,141)	31,094	(11,094)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(228,370)	(704,854)	(392,820)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	894,975	600,398	254,090
Other long term liabilities	(26,088)	(39,633)	0
Deferred revenues	212,102	0	36,682
Net cash used in operating activities	(19,679,518)	(13,593,916)	(7,732,884)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Payments of license fees	0	(1,500)	(215,000)
Purchase of equipment	(400,810)	(960,281)	(220,771)
Cash acquired in connection with merger with XenneX	292,387	0	0
Cash paid, net of cash acquired for CTI assets	0	(246,850)	0
Cash acquired in connection with merger with Glycosan	0	5,908	0
Cash acquired, net of cash paid for Cell Cure Neurosciences shares	0	0	3,733,110
Note and related interest accrued converted to Cell Cure Neurosciences shares	0	0	(252,608)
Cash acquired, net of cash paid for acquisition of ESI	0	0	142,766
Cash proceeds from sale of equipment	4,500	0	6,000
Security deposit received/(paid)	(764)	10	3,922
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities	(104,687)	(1,202,713)	3,197,419
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	286,552	223,914	605,998
Proceeds from exercises of warrants	0	425,000	22,861,458
Proceeds from issuance of common shares	1,131,279	0	0
Financing fees paid upon issuance of common shares	(37,279)	0	0
Proceeds from sale of treasury shares	282,826	0	0
Proceeds from sale of common shares of subsidiary	250,000	3,213,500	2,300,000
Net cash provided by financing activities	1,913,378	3,862,414	25,767,456
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	8,897	(178,812)	(96,148)
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(17,861,930)	(11,113,027)	21,135,843
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
At beginning of year	22,211,897	33,324,924	12,189,081
At end of year	4,349,967	22,211,897	33,324,924
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid during year for interest	315	326	1,315
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NONCASH FINANCING AND INVESTING ACTIVITIES :
Common shares acquired in connection with investment in subsidiary as part of Share Exchange and Contribution Agreement	2,750,003	0	0
Common shares issued in connection with investment in subsidiary (Treasury shares)	0	6,000,000	0
Common shares issued in connection with the purchase of assets from CTI	0	2,300,000	0
Common shares issued as part of merger with XenneX	1,802,684	0	0
Common shares issued as part of merger with Glycosan	0	2,600,000	0
Common shares issued as part of acquisition of ESI	0	0	11,011,864
Common shares retired for exercise of options	0	0	249,979
Warrants issued as part of merger with Glycosan	0	954,879	0
Warrants issued as part of acquisition of ESI	0	0	1,778,727
Warrants issued for services	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1,979,037