Other Intangible Assets (Schedule of Other Intangible Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross		$ 3,238	$ 3,208
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(1,625)	(1,521)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net		1,613	1,687
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets		2,010	1,977
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)		5,248	5,185
Intangible Assets Net Excluding Goodwill		3,623	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		573	545
Customer Lists [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross		1,633	1,574
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(643)	(586)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net		990	988
Patents [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross		458	446
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(287)	(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		920	964
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(589)	(579)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net		331	385
Trademarks / Trade names [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross		54	53
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(17)	(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]	173	171
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	[1]	(89)	(82)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	[1]	$ 84	$ 89

[1] Primarily consists of sales networks, marketing and manufacturing alliances and non-competition agreements.