This is a great topic! And A very difficult one to get a true answer about.Unless it can be justified biologically from a perspective of population control than it is most likely tradition or politically motivated.It is the way it has always be done and as a result of it there is political pressure to keep it that way.
The use of an attractant is the use of an attractant.WIth Bears my understanding is that in area's that are dense that is the only way (baiting) that you can draw them out sufficiently to have them be huntable.
It does not appeal to me from a challenge point of view,but I have no problem with folks who do it.There are some definite benefits,such as the ability to judge an animal more sufficiently,the ability to put a better shot on an animal because it is occupied and stationary etc.
Having said it doesn't appeal to me,I don't know that I can explain how my use of lures to take game,which I have done with deer and bear is any different.