Business Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 26, 2020	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 26, 2020	Sep. 28, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		$ 8,521	$ 6,272	$ 21,668	$ 18,713
Cost of revenues charges, net		(1)		(5)
Selling, general and administrative credits (charges), net		55		7
Restructuring and other (costs) income, net		(17)	(31)	(67)	442
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets				(1,256)	(1,285)
Consolidated operating income		2,426	946	4,723	3,362
Interest Income		9	52	53	179
Interest Expense		(144)	(164)	(407)	(534)
Other (Expense) Income, Net		(39)	(12)	(36)	25
Income before income taxes		2,252	822	4,333	3,032
Life Sciences Solutions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative credits (charges), net		8		8
Restructuring and other (costs) income, net		(10)		(11)
Analytical Instruments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring and other (costs) income, net		(3)		(22)
Specialty Diagnostics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative credits (charges), net		50		4
Restructuring and other (costs) income, net		(2)		(8)
Laboratory Products and Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Cost of revenues charges, net		(1)		(5)
Selling, general and administrative credits (charges), net				(2)
Restructuring and other (costs) income, net		(1)		(20)
Total Reportable Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Consolidated operating income	[1]	2,803	1,423	6,044	4,275
Total Reportable Segments [Member] | Life Sciences Solutions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		3,424	1,701	7,800	5,018
Consolidated operating income	[1]	1,879	586	3,788	1,756
Total Reportable Segments [Member] | Analytical Instruments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		1,336	1,358	3,488	4,004
Consolidated operating income	[1]	171	311	477	879
Total Reportable Segments [Member] | Specialty Diagnostics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		1,430	879	3,376	2,779
Consolidated operating income	[1]	398	223	848	707
Total Reportable Segments [Member] | Laboratory Products and Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		3,112	2,619	8,629	7,765
Consolidated operating income	[1]	355	303	931	933
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		(781)	(285)	(1,625)	(853)
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Cost of revenues charges, net		(1)	(5)	(5)	(16)
Selling, general and administrative credits (charges), net		55	(7)	7	(54)
Restructuring and other (costs) income, net		(17)	(31)	(67)	442
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets		$ (414)	$ (434)	$ (1,256)	$ (1,285)

[1] Represents operating income before certain charges to cost of revenues and selling, general and administrative expenses; restructuring and other costs/income, net; and amortization of acquisition-related intangibles.