Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
    400 Locust Street
    700 Capital Square
    Des Moines, IA  50309

               Re:  Registration Statement on Form S-8 for 3,000,000 Shares of
               Common Stock

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        I  have   examined   the   Registration   Statement  on  Form  S-8  (the
"Registration  Statement") to be filed by Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc., an
Iowa corporation (the "Company"), with the Securities and Exchange Commission in
connection  with the  registration  under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the  "Securities  Act"), of 3,000,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock, par
value $1 per share (the "Common Stock"), reserved for issuance under the Pioneer
Hi-Bred International, Inc. Stock Option Plan (the "Plan").

        As Corporate  Counsel for the  Company,  I have  examined the  Company's
Certificate  of  Incorporation  and Bylaws and the records of certain  corporate
proceedings and actions taken by the Company in connection with the Plan.

        Based upon the  foregoing and in reliance  thereon,  I am of the opinion
that the shares of Common Stock being offered under the Plans,  when issued,  in
accordance with the provisions of the plans, will be validly issued,  fully paid
and nonassessable.

        I hereby  consent  to the  filing of this  opinion  as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement.



                             William J. DeMeulenaere