The Protocol was signed the 12 January 1998 in Paris by 19 member states. The working group is currently preparing statements on medically assisted procreation and on ageing. Since it began in 1993, the Working Group has examined a wide range of issues relating to activities of European institutions. From these contributions the following points may serve to give an impression of their content. Human life, in biblical light, is meant to be human in the full sense of the word.
Human life is also relational, affective, cultural, spiritual.
It may be seen as life basked in god's love and in that of one's neighbour. Because fertilisation technology can contribute to the well being and happiness of human beings, there is no reason to be a priori against its development and application. There is, however, reason to be very careful, for this technology has to do with the origin of human life and the handling of human embryos. Sooner or later, research in this area implies research on human embryos. We want to make clear that what has been developed to help childless couples should not automatically be used as a key to open up other research areas.