Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Schedule of Other Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 4,524		$ 4,564
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(1,698)		(1,600)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	2,826		2,964
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	2,144		2,162
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	2,144		2,162
Total Intangible Assets, Gross	6,668		6,726
Total Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(1,698)		(1,600)
Intangible Assets Net Excluding Goodwill	4,970		5,126
IPR and D [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	61		62
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	61		62
Microbial Cell Factories [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	306	[1]	306	[1]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	306	[1]	306	[1]
Pioneer Germplasm [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	975	[2]	975	[2]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	975	[2]	975	[2]
Trademarks/Tradenames [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	802		819
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	802		819
Customer Lists [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	1,810		1,847
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(353)		(330)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	1,457		1,517
Patents [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	522		525
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(138)		(127)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	384		398
Purchased and Licensed Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	1,930		1,929
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(1,078)		(1,016)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	852		913
Trademarks [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	57		57
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(29)		(29)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	28		28
Other [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	205	[3]	206	[3]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(100)	[3]	(98)	[3]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	$ 105	[3]	$ 108	[3]

[1] 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.

[2] 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.

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