1. A method of compactly representing and storing a complete subject genome comprising: programming a computer to carry out the following steps: constructing a base reference genome for a species, wherein said base reference genome is a benchmark or model genome for the species; providing the subject genome, said subject genome being a genome of a member of the species; retrieving the base reference genome; comparing the subject genome to the base reference genome; identifying all differences between the subject genome and the base reference genome; assigning one or more items of descriptive information to each of the differences, wherein each of said items of descriptive information describes a particular deviation of the subject genome from the base reference genome resulting in each of said differences; compiling the items of descriptive information describing all the differences between the subject genome and the base reference genome into a data set, wherein the data set represents the complete subject genome, and wherein the data set does not include data other than the items of descriptive information describing each difference between the subject genome and the base reference genome; and storing the data set representing the complete subject genome on a machine readable storage; and using the stored data set for genetic research or medical treatment.