Well, though I'd rather have the barking, I wouldn't object in the situation of a true problem barker, when other solutions have been tried and its get rid of the bark or get rid of the dog. But I've heard of too many cases where debarking was a quick fix, or something done so that the problem never came up. I don't know if it hurts the dog, but the sound bothers ME, and it sounds creepy and painful, whether or not it is.
What bothers me about it, really, is that it is done by too many people too soon . . . a surgical fix for what should be (in most cases) a training problem. Instead of fixing the problem, they change the dog. I don't like it, bluntly, because it objectifies the dog. "My dog barks too much, its 'broken' the vet will 'fix it'" mentality rather than, "My dog barks too much, lets figure out why and see if we can get her to stop the behavior". But I do understand that there are situatons where it is the kindest solution. And I half wish (but only half) someone would debark that infernal whippet-beagle mix down the block . . .