GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended						1 Months Ended					9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010	Apr. 30, 2011 Athena [Member] Tradenames [Member]	May 31, 2011 Celera [Member] Tradenames [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Tradenames [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Tradenames [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 In-process research and development [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Other Intangible Assets Not Subject to Amortization [Member]	Apr. 30, 2011 Athena [Member] Customer-related intangibles [Member]	Apr. 30, 2011 Athena [Member] Non-compete agreements [Member]	Apr. 30, 2011 Athena [Member] Technology [Member]	May 31, 2011 Celera [Member] Customer-related intangibles [Member]	May 31, 2011 Celera [Member] Technology [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Customer-related intangibles [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Customer-related intangibles [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Non-compete agreements [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Non-compete agreements [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Technology [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Technology [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Other [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Other [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Total Amortizing Intangible Assets [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Total Amortizing Intangible Assets [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Parent [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Parent [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Parent [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Parent [Member]
Goodwill, Balance at beginning of period			$ 5,101,938	$ 5,083,944	$ 5,083,944
Goodwill acquired during the year			701,087
Other purchase accounting adjustments					246
(Decrease) increase related to foreign currency translation			(6,832)		17,748
Goodwill, Balance at end of period	5,796,193		5,796,193		5,101,938
Portion of goodwill associated with the clinical testing business	90.00%		90.00%		90.00%
Weighted Average Amortization Period						10	5					20	4	16	9	8	19		4		14		8		16
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	1,341,133		1,341,133		1,036,060			300,753	302,076	5,500	764						630,730	603,203	91,981	54,886	165,188	51,830	146,217	24,065	1,034,116	733,984
Accumulated Amortization, Amortizing intangible assets	(286,527)		(286,527)		(239,655)												(185,028)	(161,345)	(58,104)	(52,134)	(24,422)	(16,796)	(18,973)	(9,380)	(286,527)	(239,655)
Total intangible assets, net	1,054,606		1,054,606		796,405			300,753	302,076	5,500	764						445,702	441,858	33,877	2,752	140,766	35,034	127,244	14,685	747,589	494,329
Amortization expense related to intangible assets	19,402	9,915	47,843	28,544																							392	618	1,098	653
Estimated amortization expense remainder of 2011			18,941
Estimated amortization expense, 2012			77,068
Estimated amortization expense, 2013			75,174
Estimated amortization expense, 2014			73,433
Estimated amortization expense, 2015			62,972
Estimated amortization expense, 2016			56,262
Estimated amortization expense, Thereafter			383,739
Estimated amortization expense, total			$ 747,589