Johnklets:
The use of corporal punishment is limited, and for a good reason. Punishment does not teach. It inhibits. The latter is occasionally required in a chinuch (school and parent) setting. Mostly, the goal is to teach. And spanking fails to accomplish that. Just associating a negative experience with a behavior does not convey the knowledge that a child truly needs.
What is appropriate? First identify the goal. Controlling behavior or teaching. I would hope that the scientist in the lab recognizes the task of controlling behavior, accomplished by reward and punishment. The learning of children, aka little humans, should not be reduced to that of lab animal, and we should set the goal to teach. Now, will spanking help achieve that goal? I just did the Jewish thing of answering one question with another. Why? Why not?