code: def toProtocolElement(self):
          
          protocolElement = protocol.VariantSet()
          protocolElement.id = self.getId()
          protocolElement.dataset_id = self.getParentContainer().getId()
          protocolElement.reference_set_id = self._referenceSet.getId()
          protocolElement.metadata.extend(self.getMetadata())
          protocolElement.dataset_id = self.getParentContainer().getId()
          protocolElement.reference_set_id = self._referenceSet.getId()
          protocolElement.name = self.getLocalId()
          self.serializeAttributes(protocolElement)
          return protocolElement
docs: Converts this VariantSet into its GA4GH protocol equivalent.