Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages:

• The fuel for fusion reactions are readily available. Deuterium and Tritium are virtually inexhaustible.
• Unlike the burning of coal or other fossil fuels, fusion does not emit harmful toxins into the atmosphere. The combustion of most fossil fuels involves some form of the reaction

C + O_2(g) --> CO_2(g) + heat

• The carbon dioxide (CO_2(g)) emitted by this reaction contributes to the global warning/so-called "Greenhouse Effect" that we've all heard so much about. Fusion, however, produces only helium, a gas that is already in abundance in the atmosphere and will not contribute to global warming.
• A major concern with the use of fission power is the issue of nuclear waste, a dangerous material that can both directly injure people and be manufactured into weapons. Fusion has no such problems with dangerous by-products.

Disadvantages

• Scientists have not yet been able to contain a fusion reaction long enough for there to be a net energy gain.
• Many countries are phasing out fusion research because of the failure to reach a breakthrough