CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss attributable to BioTime, Inc.	$ (43,882,835)	$ (21,425,703)	$ (16,515,500)
Net loss allocation to noncontrolling interest	(9,026,291)	(3,880,157)	(1,928,383)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss attributable to BioTime, Inc. to net cash used in operating activities:
Acquired in-process research and development	17,458,766	0	0
Depreciation expense	656,759	386,457	373,349
Amortization of intangible assets	3,295,716	2,446,975	1,991,200
Amortization of deferred consulting fees	65,118	598,465	598,465
Amortization of deferred license fees	109,500	109,500	109,500
Amortization of deferred rent	(12,766)	1,890	71,118
Amortization of deferred license, royalty and subscription revenues	(915,028)	(211,065)	(234,781)
Amortization of deferred grant revenues	0	(261,777)	0
Amortization of stock-based prepaid rent	84,586	0	0
Stock-based compensation	3,217,875	1,843,962	1,802,413
Reduction in receivables from the reversal of revenues	0	207,425	0
Write-off of security deposit	0	0	2,443
Write-off of expired inventory	0	0	1,510
(Gain)/Loss on sale or write-off of equipment	(5,120)	19,681	6,416
Bad debt expense	0	16,816	100,230
Deferred income tax benefit	(3,280,695)	0	0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, net	(180,933)	36,322	(120,678)
Grant receivable	560,286	(416,787)	261,777
Inventory	(123,378)	(4,141)	31,094
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	428,453	(228,370)	(704,854)
Other long term assets	(15,000)	0	0
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	2,133,442	894,975	600,398
Other long term liabilities	(57,824)	(26,088)	(39,633)
Deferred revenues	(19,244)	212,102	0
Net cash used in operating activities	(29,508,613)	(19,679,518)	(13,593,916)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Payments of license fees	0	0	(1,500)
Purchase of equipment	(2,277,168)	(400,810)	(960,281)
Cash acquired in connection with merger with XenneX	0	292,387	0
Cash paid, net of cash acquired for CTI assets	0	0	(246,850)
Cash acquired in connection with merger with Glycosan	0	0	5,908
Payment of transaction fees to Geron	(978,104)	0	0
Payment of syndication fees incurred	(376,250)	0	0
Cash proceeds from sale of equipment	30,900	4,500	0
Security deposit received/(paid)	(64,965)	(764)	10
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities	(3,665,587)	(104,687)	(1,202,713)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	46,000	286,552	223,914
Proceeds from exercises of warrants	0	0	425,000
Proceeds from issuance of common shares	25,938,558	1,131,279	0
Fees paid on sale of common shares	(818,201)	(37,279)	0
Proceeds from sale of treasury shares	3,841,749	282,826	0
Proceeds from sale of common shares of subsidiary	5,255,502	250,000	3,213,500
Net cash used in financing activities	34,263,608	1,913,378	3,862,414
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	56,103	8,897	(178,812)
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	1,145,511	(17,861,930)	(11,113,027)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
At beginning of year	4,349,967	22,211,897	33,324,924
At end of year	5,495,478	4,349,967	22,211,897
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid during year for interest	3,090	315	326
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NONCASH FINANCING AND INVESTING ACTIVITIES :
Common shares issued to Cell Cure in exchange for Cell Cure shares	3,499,999	0	0
Common shares issued for consulting services	173,100	0	0
Common shares issued for rent	253,758	0	0
Intangible assets acquired from Geron	29,017,009	0	0
Common shares issued to Asterias upon consummation of asset contribution (Treasury shares)	34,985,163	0	0
Common shares acquired in connection with investment in LifeMap as part of Share Exchange and Contribution Agreement	0	2,750,003	0
Common shares issued as part of merger with XenneX	0	1,802,684	0
Common shares issued in connection with investment in OncoCyte (Treasury shares)	0	0	6,000,000
Common shares issued in connection with the purchase of assets from CTI	0	0	2,300,000
Common shares issued as part of merger with Glycosan	0	0	2,600,000
Warrants issued to Asterias upon consummation of asset contribution	18,276,406	0	0
Warrants issued as part of merger with Glycosan	$ 0	$ 0	$ 954,879