An innovative technique for the readout of a detector is presented, based on the assumption that at least two neighbouring elements (e.g. strips) record a signal from the passage of a particle. This concept, called genetic multiplexing, is particularly adapted to Micro-Pattern Gaseous Detectors, but can also be used for other types of detectors. Furthermore, the degree of multiplexing can be easily adapted in the detector design to the incident flux of particles. The technique has been tested on a large, 50×50 cm2 Micromegas prototype equipped with 1024 strips and read with only 61 channels. First results obtained with cosmics are reported, showing the good performance of the detector. Genetic multiplexing offers the possibility to build large area detectors with a considerably reduced number of electronic channels, and has therefore a wide range of applications in and beyond particle physics.