CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (UNAUDITED) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (UNAUDITED) [Abstract]
NET LOSS	$ (12,590,055)us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ (9,728,031)us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Change in foreign currency translation and other comprehensive income/(loss) from equity investments:
Unrealized loss on exchange translation in foreing subsidiaries	(53,323)	(104,590)
Unrealized gain/(loss) on available-for-sale securities, net of taxes	338	(2,650)
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	(12,643,040)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	(9,835,271)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest	2,422,687	1,629,017
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO BIOTIME, INC. COMMON SHAREHOLDERS	$ (10,220,353)	$ (8,206,254)

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount of Net Income (Loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest.

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Amount after tax, before reclassification adjustments of gain (loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments, foreign currency transactions designated and effective as economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity and intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature.

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Amount after tax of other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests.

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Amount after tax, before reclassification adjustments, of unrealized holding gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities.

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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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