Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Schedule of Other Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $) In Millions	Sep. 30, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 4,705		$ 2,650
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(1,350)		(1,154)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	3,355		1,496
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	2,195		1,208
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	2,195		1,208
Total Intangible Assets, Gross	6,900		3,858
Total Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(1,350)		(1,154)
Intangible Assets Net Excluding Goodwill	5,550		2,704
Customer Lists [Member]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	1,927		525
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(219)		(160)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	1,708		365
Patents [Member]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	529		118
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(65)		(44)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	464		74
Purchased and Licensed Technology [Member]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	1,815		1,617
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(859)		(765)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	956		852
Trademarks [Member]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	57		57
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(24)		(22)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	33		35
Other [Member]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	377	[1]	333	[1]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(183)	[1]	(163)	[1]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	194	[1]	170	[1]
IPR and D [Member]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	71		0
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	71		0
Microbial Cell Factories [Member]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	306	[2]	0	[2]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	306	[2]	0	[2]
Pioneer Germplasm [Member]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	975	[3]	975	[3]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	975	[3]	975	[3]
Trademarks/Tradenames [Member]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	843		233
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	$ 843		$ 233

[1] Primarily consists of sales and grower networks, marketing and manufacturing alliances and noncompetition agreements.

[2] Microbial cell factories, derived from natural microbes, are used to sustainably produce enzymes, peptides and chemicals using natural metabolic processes. The company recognized the microbial cell factories as an intangible asset upon the acquisition of Danisco. This intangible asset is expected to contribute to cash flows beyond the foreseeable future and there are no legal, regulatory, contractual, or other factors which limit its useful life.

[3] Pioneer germplasm is the pool of genetic source material and body of knowledge gained from the development and delivery stage of plant breeding. The company recognized germplasm as an intangible asset upon the acquisition of Pioneer. This intangible asset is expected to contribute to cash flows beyond the foreseeable future and there are no legal, regulatory, contractual, or other factors which limit its useful life.