Much of the (valid) criticism in this article relates to the deuterium-tritium fuel cycle. This is the easiest reaction to accomplish on Earth, so most experimental reactors are designed with this fuel in mind, and we're certainly having a hard enough time making even this work.
However, I've always considered D-T fusion an intermediate step on the path to aneutronic fusion, such as Helium-3 or proton-Boron reactions. These avoid most of the radiation issues, as well as the tritium-breeding problem (although Helium-3 sourcing presents its own challenge). Since the fusion products are electrically charged the reactor could possibly also generate electricity directly, without a steam turbine and the associated energy loss. Unfortunately, it requires temperatures that are an order of magnitude higher than D-T (well beyond a billion degrees Kelvin), so we'll need to learn to walk before we can run.
However, I've always considered D-T fusion an intermediate step on the path to aneutronic fusion, such as Helium-3 or proton-Boron reactions. These avoid most of the radiation issues, as well as the tritium-breeding problem (although Helium-3 sourcing presents its own challenge). Since the fusion products are electrically charged the reactor could possibly also generate electricity directly, without a steam turbine and the associated energy loss. Unfortunately, it requires temperatures that are an order of magnitude higher than D-T (well beyond a billion degrees Kelvin), so we'll need to learn to walk before we can run.