1. A method for encoding a specified neural system into a representative genome, wherein the neural system comprises an array of interconnected neurons and each neuron has an input and an output, said method comprising the steps of: for a given neuron, encoding a specification of the conversion of neuron input to neuron output by a processing gene corresponding to the given neuron; encoding the connections from the given neuron by one or more connection genes, each corresponding to the given neuron; and selectively ordering the processing genes and connection genes corresponding to respective neurons of the neural system to form said genome.