Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Schedule of Other Intangible Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross		$ 3,208		$ 3,454
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(1,521)		(1,483)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net		1,687		1,971
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Net		1,977		2,173
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)		5,185		5,627
Total Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(1,521)		(1,483)
Intangible Assets Net Excluding Goodwill		3,664		4,144
In-process research and development [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Net		73		72
Microbial Cell Factories [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	[1]	306		306
Pioneer Germplasm [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	[2]	1,053		1,048
Trademarks/tradenames [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	[3]	545		747
Customer Lists [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross		1,574		1,621
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(586)		(529)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net		988		1,092
Patents [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross		446		454
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(259)		(220)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net		187		234
Purchased and Licensed Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross		964		1,173
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(579)		(649)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net		385		524
Trademarks/tradenames [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross		53	[3]	26
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(15)	[3]	(13)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net		38	[3]	13
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	[4]	171		180
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	[4]	(82)		(72)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	[4]	89		$ 108
Industrial Biosciences [Member] | Trademarks/tradenames [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment of intangible assets, indefinite-lived (excluding goodwill)		$ (158)

[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] The decrease in indefinite-lived intangible trademarks / trade names is the result of a $158 impairment charge recorded during the year ended December 31, 2016 associated with certain acquired trade names. The remaining net book value of the trade names are reflected in definite-lived trademarks / trade names at December 31, 2016. See Note 4 for additional information.

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