I got Gene Wars from HOTU so I might as well help:
1. Extract the zip file you downloaded. You'll get a bunch of ZIP files, GENEWA01.ZIP to GENEWA16.ZIP
2. Extract all of those to the same folder and you'll get a bunch of RAR files, GENEWARS.RAR to GENEWARS.R14
3. Extract GENEWARS.RAR (You'll need
WinRAR or some such) to where you want the game (a folder called GENEWARS will be created).
4. Run SETSOUND.EXE to set up the sound and run the game with GW.EXE
(you can delete all the ZIPs and RARs you extracted)