I try to avoid silicone as well. If I do use it on gaskets, it will be an extreme case, and it will be a thin layer on each side of the gasket. It will make it hard to get off though, but it won't leak. I definitely don't use it as a matter of course, and most definitely not a bead, it squishes out and makes chunks that might fall off and get stuck somewhere you don't want it to get to. I do large industrial machinery maintenance for a living, and I have seen some horror stories with silicone. I rarely use it, some gear boxes get it on the covers, but I make sure there is jacking bolts to break it loose.
