Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Schedule of Other Intangible Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross		$ 3,454	$ 4,184
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(1,483)	(1,814)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net		1,971	2,370
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross		2,173	2,199
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Net		2,173	2,199
Total Intangible Assets, Gross		5,627	6,383
Total Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(1,483)	(1,814)
Intangible Assets Net Excluding Goodwill		4,144	4,569
In-process research and development [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross		72	29
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Net		72	29
Microbial Cell Factories [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	[1]	306	306
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	[1]	306	306
Pioneer Germplasm [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	[2]	1,048	1,064
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	[2]	1,048	1,064
Trademarks/Tradenames [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross		747	800
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Net		747	800
Customer Lists [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross		1,621	1,699
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(529)	(465)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net		1,092	1,234
Patents [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross		454	474
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(220)	(184)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net		234	290
Purchased and Licensed Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross		1,173	1,783
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(649)	(1,069)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net		524	714
Trademarks [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross		26	26
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(13)	(12)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net		13	14
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	[3]	180	202
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	[3]	(72)	(84)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	[3]	$ 108	$ 118

[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.