Other Intangible Assets (Schedule of Other Intangible Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross		$ 3,203	$ 3,208
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(1,571)	(1,521)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net		1,632	1,687
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets		1,992	1,977
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)		5,195	5,185
Total Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(1,571)	(1,521)
Intangible Assets Net Excluding Goodwill		3,624	3,664
In Process Research and Development [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets		74	73
Microbial Cell Factories [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets		306	306
Pioneer Germplasm [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets		1,057	1,053
Trademarks / Trade names [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets		555	545
Customer Lists [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross		1,597	1,574
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(612)	(586)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net		985	988
Patents [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross		451	446
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(280)	(259)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net		171	187
Purchased and Licensed Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross		930	964
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(577)	(579)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net		353	385
Trademarks / Trade names [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross		53	53
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(16)	(15)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net		37	38
Other [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	[1]	172	171
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	[1]	(86)	(82)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	[1]	$ 86	$ 89

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