CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
NET LOSS	$ (58,134,000)	$ (43,779,000)	$ (52,910,000)
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Change in foreign currency translation	(424,000)	125,000	119,000
Change in unrealized (loss) on available for sale securities, net of taxes	1,000	0	0
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities, net of taxes	0	(2,000)	3,000
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	(58,557,000)	(43,655,000)	(52,788,000)
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(11,143,000)	(7,367,000)	(9,026,000)
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO BIOTIME, INC. COMMON SHAREHOLDERS BEFORE PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDEND	(47,414,000)	(36,288,000)	(43,762,000)
Preferred stock dividend	(415,000)	(87,000)	0
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO BIOTIME, INC. COMMON SHAREHOLDERS	$ (47,829,000)	$ (36,375,000)	$ (43,762,000)