Reuters News Service is reporting from Britain that a common stem-cell technique used on horses is now being tested on humans.

British biotech firm MedCell Bioscience told Reuters it would start clinical tests within 12 months. The treatment is being tested for Achilles heel injuries.

"The move from clinical veterinary to human medicine is inspiring and unusual -- we normally see the translation happening the other way around," said Nicola Maffulli, an orthopaedic surgeon and leading expert in sports medicine, who will help conduct the trial.