Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Schedule of Other Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 4,600		$ 2,650
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(1,351)		(1,154)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	3,249		1,496
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	2,164		1,208
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	2,164		1,208
Total Intangible Assets, Gross	6,764		3,858
Total Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(1,351)		(1,154)
Intangible Assets Net Excluding Goodwill	5,413		2,704
IPR and D [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	70		0
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	70		0
Microbial Cell Factories [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	306	[1]	0	[1]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	306	[1]	0	[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	813		233
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	813		233
Customer Lists [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	1,841		525
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(220)		(160)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	1,621		365
Patents [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	518		118
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(77)		(44)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	441		74
Purchased and Licensed Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	1,854		1,617
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(878)		(765)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	976		852
Trademarks [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	57		57
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(25)		(22)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	32		35
Other [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	330	[3]	333	[3]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(151)	[3]	(163)	[3]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	$ 179	[3]	$ 170	[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.