This seems to be the general consensus... and not that I disagree, but if that's the case why don't all of the manufacturers app notes and data sheets explicitly say that? I am most confused by the lack of clear, definitive device specs in this regard. For example, the 780x regulator series data sheets suggest that if you have > 1u cap at the output pin for transient filtering, you should include a bypass diode (reverse bias) from the output to input pins to protect the device against damage from reverse current flow. I can't find any such suggestion in manufacturers notes regarding power mosfets. To the contrary, as I pointed out, many of the app notes I have looked at state the opposite.