I recently read an article stating something such as this:
"Gene X protects the cells against apoptosis, otherwise cells that lack gene X have a higher probability of undergoing apoptosis. This places less selective pressure on the survival of the cells that lack gene X to contain oncogenic variants"
I don't understand this term selective pressure used in this sentence. Does it mean that the cells lacking gene X are less likely to proliferate and thus less likely to expand any of their oncogenic mutations into the evolution? Please provide clarity. thanks in advance.