Good or not Good - The Auto-tune - "Vocal Recording Guru Opinion"

After being asked the question when should an auto tune be used? after deliberation I have come to the conclusion "whenever the producer/artist feels the need" and that does include X factor type shows. My reasoning behind this is that in normal circumstances such as studio work or live gigs an artist must give the paying public the benefit of the best performance they are able and if that happens to include auto tune so be it. Lets me give an example of when it could be needed "top artist booked on tour has a bout of cold but still has to perform auto tune gets them out of trouble and the crowd go home happy". To consider a little more in depth the question why use auto tune in a competition whereby a singing voice is being judged I say this "what is the difference" if an artist gives a great performance using technology and the judges are fooled by it then poor show the judges and hoorah for the entrant,if the judges recognise that technology is being used to enhance the performance then that particular entrant if the judges decide so will not progress. So to conclude my conclusion Technology must be allowed to be used in any or all situations whether it be science,music,sport in fact I would go as far as to say every genre of activity.
http://www.soundback.co.uk/mp3/OASIS/Don-t-Look-Back-Anger/3053-mp3-backing-tracks.php
http://www.soundback.co.uk/mp3/S-CLUB-JUNIORS/New-Direction/2432-mp3-backing-tracks.php