Shareholders' Equity, Warrants (Details) - Warrants [Member] - $ / shares shares in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Numbers of Warrant Shares [Roll Forward]
Warrants Outstanding Beginning Balance (in shares)		10,110		9,195	9,752
Exercised (in shares)				(4)	(557)
Warrant adjustment (in shares)	[1]			919
Expired in 2016 (in shares)		(715)
Warrants Outstanding Ending Balance (in shares)		9,395	[2]	10,110	9,195
Per share exercise price [Abstract]
Outstanding Beginning Balance (in dollars per share)		$ 4.55		$ 5.00
Exercised (in dollars per share)				5.00	$ 10.00
Expired in 2016 (in dollars per share)		4.55
Outstanding Ending Balance (in dollars per share)		4.55	[2]	4.55	5.00
Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]
Outstanding Beginning Balance (in dollars per share)		4.55		5.00	5.29
Exercised (in dollars per share)				5.00	10.00
Expired in 2016 (in dollars per share)		4.55
Outstanding Ending Balance(in dollars per share)		$ 4.55	[2]	$ 4.55	5.00
Minimum [Member]
Per share exercise price [Abstract]
Outstanding Beginning Balance (in dollars per share)					5.00
Maximum [Member]
Per share exercise price [Abstract]
Outstanding Beginning Balance (in dollars per share)					$ 10.00

[1] The number of shares issuable upon the exercise of the warrants was adjusted as a result of the distribution of OncoCyte common stock to BioTime shareholders during December 2015.

[2] At December 31, 2016, the 9,394,862 outstanding warrants will expire, if unexercised, beginning June 5, 2018 through September 30, 2018.