def get_permissions(user, featuretype_name):
    """
    Gets the permissions for the provided user and feature type.
    Returns a tuple (can_write, can_publish)
    """
    if featuretype_name[0]=="a":
        return (user.is_animal_writer, user.is_animal_publisher) 
    if featuretype_name[0]=="s":
        return (user.is_slimemold_writer, user.is_slimemold_publisher)
    if featuretype_name[0]=="p":
        return (user.is_plant_writer, user.is_plant_publisher)
    if featuretype_name[0]=="f":
        return (user.is_fungus_writer, user.is_fungus_publisher)
    if featuretype_name[0]=="n":
        return (user.is_naturalarea_writer, user.is_naturalarea_publisher)
    return (False, False)